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SENIOR NATIONAL PRESIDENTS
1919 ~ 2010
Elijah A. Hamilton, PA
Founder
1st President
1919 - 1920 
William H. Davis, DC
1920 - 1940
Allan A. C. Griffith, DC
1940 - 1951
Henry Ballard, NY
1951 - 1959
R. E. Harshaw, Jr., TN
1959 - 1964
Leroy Johnson, CA
1964 - 1968
Raymond A. Smith, DC
1968 - 1972
Harry Daniels, OH
1972 - 1976
Robert Allen, IL
1976 - 1980
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A Historical Glimpse of Our Founders
Through God's divine providence, two Christian men met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the "City of Brotherly Love." They were: Bro. Charles H. Dorsey, who hailed from Chestertown, Maryland, and Bro. Elijah A. Hamilton, who migrated from Augusta, Georgia. Although on separate paths, upon their arrival in the city, both sought to continue their strong religious upbringing. Bro. Dorsey united with the African Zoar Methodist Episcopal Church (Zoar United Methodist) and Bro. Hamilton with Bethel A.M.E. Church (Mother Bethel). |
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 In, 1886, Bro. Charles H. Dorsey organized the Trustees Helpers of Zoar M. E. Church, which became the forerunner of the Ushers Movement in America. In 1898, the Brotherhood of Ushers of Philadelphia and Vicinity was organized by Bro. Charles H. Dorsey and Bro. Elijah A. Hamilton. They were drawn together by the common bonds of God's love and the love of ushering. The first meeting was held at the Cherry Street Baptist Church (First African Church). Six other churches from the surrounding area were in attendance at that meeting. Bro. Dorsey was elected the First President.
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 Bro. Elijah A. Hamilton's vision of an Ushers Movement which would extend beyond the Philadelphia area into a national program caused him to travel in 1917 to the neighboring states of New York, New Jersey, Maryland and the District of Columbia to cultivate interest and support in the expanding movement. He was well received. Out of his pioneering emerged the National United Church Ushers Association of America. The First Convention of this organization was held July 24-26, 1919 at the Varick A. M. E. Zion Church in Philadelphia. Bro. Dorsey, founder of the Ushers Brotherhood, could not foresee this expansion into a National organization. However, he brought greetings and best wishes to the Convention. Bro. Hamilton was elected the First President. His mission was to broaden the field of Church ushering and to break down the barrier of interdenominational, discrimination and prejudice.
Bro. Hamilton served with respect and dignity. In 1920, during which time Bro. Hamilton's health had begun to fail, the Second National Convention was held at the Zion Baptist Church (F Street, S.W.) in Washington, D. C. Bro. William H. Davis of Washington, D. C. was elected the Second President. Bro. Hamilton was made Honorary President and enjoyed the highest respect of all who knew him, as an usher and a Christian. On December 8, 1924, Bro. Elijah A. Hamilton was called from labor to reward. The Elijah Hamilton "Tag Day" is the fourth Sunday in March.
July 25, 1919
First Convention of the National United Church Ushers Association of America, Inc.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Elijah A. Hamilton, Founder and First President
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James Anderson, CO
1980 - 1984
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Raymond Thomas, DC
1984 - 1987
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Paul Finch, OH
1987 - 1990
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Robert B. Sherron, WA
President Emeritus
1990 - 1993
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Willie J. Minnifield, GA
1993 - 1996 | 
James N. Jones, IL
1996 - 1997 | 
Sylester Williams, IL
1997 - 2000 | 
Johnnie Knighton, CT
2000 - 2003 |
Pauline E. Young, TX
2003 - 2006
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Charles McCraney, Jr., WA
2006 - 2009
|  Filmore F. Gregory
2009 - Present |
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