Reverend Dr. Arthur Thomas Gerald, Jr., the youngest child and only son of the late Arthur and Sarah Gerald, was born and raised in Boston. Affectionately known to his friends as “Turk,” he grew up on Highland Street off Eliot Square alongside his four sisters—Margaret, Gwendolyn, Lucille, and Jeannette.

A product of the Boston Public Schools, Rev. Gerald attended Timilty Junior High School and graduated from The English High School. As a youth, he played basketball at the Norfolk House for the “Exquisites” with lifelong friends Al Holland and Lenny Cox. That program, led by Rev. Michael E. Haynes and Clarence “Jeep” Jones, not only gave young Black boys a sense of belonging but also broadened their horizons, introducing them to historically Black colleges through organized trips. These formative experiences, combined with the mentorship of men like Haynes and Jones, deeply shaped Rev. Gerald’s vision for ministry and education.

Though one English High teacher once told him college “wasn’t for him,” Rev. Gerald proved otherwise. He attended Lincoln University in Pennsylvania before transferring to Berkshire Christian College in Lenox, Massachusetts, where he earned a B.A. in Ethics and Theology in 1970. Two years later, he received a Master of Theological Studies from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

On January 30, 1975, Rev. Gerald was licensed to preach the Gospel by the American Baptist Churches. Under the pastorate of Rev. Michael E. Haynes at Twelfth Baptist Church, he was ordained on November 11, 1976, alongside his close colleagues Rev. VaCountess Johnson and Rev. Bruce H. Wall.

Within Twelfth Baptist Church, Rev. Gerald faithfully served in multiple capacities: Minister to College & Young Adults, Chair of the Budget, Pre-School Board, African American History, Personnel, and Nominating Committees. He also served as Treasurer of the Mission Ministry, Chair of the Christian Education Ministry, and as a member of the SAMH Corporation.

Beyond the church, Rev. Gerald built a distinguished career in academia. For 38 years he served at Salem State College (now Salem State University), retiring as Associate Dean of Academic and Cultural Affairs. His expertise in finance and budgeting became invaluable to both the university and his ministry, particularly in his leadership of Twelfth Baptist’s Budget and Nominating Ministries. In recognition of his contributions, Salem State established an Endowment Scholarship in his name in 2004, and in 2012 the university awarded him an honorary Doctorate.

In 1979, Rev. Gerald married Henrietta Williams of Mattapan, a cum laude graduate of Salem State College and longtime flight attendant with American Airlines. Together they raised two children: Arthur-Michael, a Salem State graduate and financial analyst at Liberty Mutual, and Alana-Michelle, a graduate of Spelman College.

On the eve of his installation as the 13th Pastor of the historic Twelfth Baptist Church, Rev. Gerald reflected on the “giants” who shaped his journey—Rev. Michael Haynes, Clarence “Jeep” Jones, Roscoe Baker, Rudy Pierce, Albert Holland, and Charlie Titus. “God was the maestro,” he said, “and these men were His instruments. When I might have turned left, they persuaded me to turn right. They were my mentors and my models.”

As pastor, Rev. Dr. Gerald committed himself to leading Twelfth Baptist into a future of Purpose, Power, Praise, and Prayer. His vision has always been for a church intimately connected to its community, ministering beyond its walls, and instilling hope in a new generation of young people—just as mentors once instilled hope in him.

After faithfully serving for more than 14 years as Senior Pastor, Rev. Dr. Gerald retired from the pulpit of Twelfth Baptist Church on December 31, 2020, leaving behind a legacy of faithful leadership and spiritual devotion.

Looking back on his life and ministry, Rev. Gerald acknowledged the challenges of these times, but also the mission:

“Our mission is to make it known that we are a people who care. So I’m just asking God to give me the words I need to say.”

On October 17, 2025, under the leadership of Pastor Bodrick, as the church commemorated the 220th anniversary of the founding of the First African Baptist Church (1805) and the 185th anniversary of Twelfth Baptist Church, the 142 Warren Street Outreach Center to The Rev. Dr. Arthur T. Gerald, Jr. Outreach Center.

Through his faith, humility, and unwavering dedication, Rev. Dr. Arthur T. Gerald, Jr. has embodied the transformative power of God’s call—uplifting his church, his community, and generations to come.