Denzil Carty
*Denzil Carty was born on this date in 1904. He was a Black minister and civic leader.
Denzil Angus Carty was born in St. John’s, Antigua, British West Indies. He was educated in the New York City public high school system and the City College of New York. Carty did graduate work at Xavier University, the General Theological Seminary in New York, and earned a Master’s Degree in clinical psychology at Wayne State University. In the 1930’s he served three New York parishes: All Souls’, St. Phillip’s, and St. Luke’s. During WW II, he served in Europe as captain and chaplain of the 512th Port Battalion.
Carty came to St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1950 as rector of St. Phillips Episcopal Church, which he served until his retirement in 1975. He was an outstanding leader and activist for civil and human rights. Many have described him as always being on the cutting edge of social change. Reverend Carty, a recipient of many statewide awards, always helped to improve life for Black Minnesotans. He died on August 24, 1975.