Preston Bradley

Preston Bradley (August 18, 1888[1]– June 1, 1983) was an American clergyman, author, and lecturer.

As a follower of Henry George, he believed that ministers must be concerned with social justice, poverty, and civic wrongs.

Bradley was a civic leader who was active in Chicago in many areas, such as conservation, arts, racial issues, and education.

Bradley was born and raised in Linden, Michigan, in a conservative Christian home.

[5] From 1912 until the founding of the People's Church in 1922, Bradley conducted Sunday services at a number of Chicago theaters.

[6] He based his ministry on the creed of "the Good, the True and the Beautiful" and affiliating with the Unitarian Conference.

[4] Writer Irna Phillips, a lifelong Chicago resident, credited Bradley's radio sermons with inspiring her creation of the soap opera Guiding Light, which ran on radio and then on television for a total of 72 years.

[9] Bradley served on the boards of the Chicago Public Library, and the Illinois State Teachers College and Normal School.