Falwell, Jerry (1933-2007), an American clergyman, was a spokesperson for conservative views. He helped found a national organization known as the Moral Majority, which was dedicated to promoting moral values. From the mid-1950’s until his death, Falwell served as senior pastor of a large Baptist church in Virginia and hosted a religious television program.
Jerry Laymon Falwell was born in Lynchburg, Virginia, on Aug. 11, 1933. He graduated from the Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri, in 1956. After graduation, he and a small group of people in Lynchburg formed the Thomas Road Baptist Church. The church grew steadily under Falwell’s leadership. By the early 1970’s, hundreds of television stations were broadcasting the church’s weekly “Old-Time Gospel Hour.”
In 1971, the group established Lynchburg Baptist College (now Liberty University). During the early 1970’s, they also established a Bible institute and a seminary (school for training ministers). Both institutions are associated with the university.
In 1979, Falwell helped to establish the Moral Majority, Inc., which focused attention on what its members saw as a need to reestablish moral values. Moral Majority supporters worked to elect Ronald Reagan president of the United States in 1980. In 1989, Falwell disbanded the organization, saying it had accomplished its purpose. Falwell wrote several books, including his autobiography, Strength for the Journey (1987).
In 2004, Falwell established a law school to train attorneys to fight for conservative causes. The school is part of Liberty University. Falwell died on May 15, 2007. His son, Jerry Falwell, Jr., then served as president of the university from 2007 to 2020.
