Thomas Marcus Decatur Ward (September 28, 1823 – June 1894) was an American preacher, missionary, bishop, and abolitionist who aided African-Americans escaping slavery.

[5] His parents and grandparents were African American and had escaped from slavery and moved to Pennsylvania, where they became active in the Underground Railroad.

[8] From 1854 until 1856, Ward worked as a Sunday School teacher and pastor at Saint Andrews African Methodist Episcopal Church in Sacramento.

[9] In 1855 and later years, Ward was an active participant in the annual California State Convention of Colored Citizens, including hosting the event at his church in 1857.

[8] After the beginning of the American Civil War, Ward was president of the California Contraband Relief Association and provided funds for the care of the freedmen.

[6] In his later years, Ward returned frequently to the Northeastern United States to preach He was finally reassigned to the fifth district of the church in Georgia.

[3] In one of his sermons, Ward preached of the importance of education and stated, "Encourage learning and you will live; despise it and you will die".