Jesse B. Martin

For others with a similar name, see Jesse Martin (disambiguation).

Jesse Bauman Martin (22 December 1897 – 4 March 1974) was a Canadian bishop,^[2] teacher, and church worker, known for playing "a key role in the creation and operation of an alternative service plan for Canadian conscientious objectors" soon after Canada entered World War II.

Jesse B. Martin
Born	(1897-12-22)December 22, 1897 St Jacobs, Ontario, Canada[1]
Died	March 4, 1974(1974-03-04) (aged 76)[1] Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Education	Hesston College, Kansas, 1923-24; Goshen College, 1924
Occupation(s)	pastor, Erb Street Mennonite Church, Waterloo, 1929-64; teacher, Ontario Mennonite Bible School and Institute, 1932-65; church worker, administrator

With Samuel Coffman and others in Ontario, Martin helped to create in 1940 the Conference of Historic Peace Churches, and he became its "most active member and spokesman",^[1] as chairman of the Military Problems Committee.

His negotiations with the Canadian government helped lead to the beginnings of an Alternative Service program in summer 1941, and then as camps were established he traveled nationwide to organize and encourage the camps' conscientious objectors.^[1]

References

1. Josephson, Harold (1985). Biographical Dictionary of Modern Peace Leaders. Connecticut: Greenwood. pp. 607-8. ISBN 0-313-22565-6.
2. Bender, B. Urie A. (1982). Four Earthen Vessels: Biographical Profiles of Oscar Burkholder, Samuel F. Coffman, Clayton F. Derstine, and Jesse B. Martin. PA: Scottdale.