Two decades since Bloomington lost its civil rights leader Ernest Butler
Editor's note: In honor of Black History Month, The Herald-Times is publishing Black stories, both current and historical, throughout the month of February. A new installment will be published each weekday.
This April will mark two decades since Bloomington lost an unparalleled civic leader who tore down barriers and built up institutions during a tumultuous time across the nation.
Rev. Ernest Butler was a staunch civil rights advocate throughout the latter half of the 20th Century, leading the charge on breaking down multiple discriminatory barriers in local employment and housing.
After successfully leading desegregation efforts in nearby Noblesville, Butler moved his family to Bloomington in 1959 to serve as pastor at the Second Baptist Church. Still rife with codified discrimination, Bloomington was not always welcoming to the family. His children were turned away from businesses due to their skin color, but Butler was not easily deterred. Recognizing the community needed change, the pastor was ready and eager to be the conduit.
In addition to his 43 years at the helm of Second Baptist Church, Butler is credited as the original spearhead behind the Bloomington Human Rights and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. commissions. Throughout his decades of civil service, he was involved in countless committees and boards, primarily those targeting areas of social justice such as fair housing.
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He served a total of 28 years on the Bloomington Public Housing Board, 22 as chair. He was instrumental in the creation of Crestmont and Walnut Woods housing developments for low-income families, but he didn't just offer intangible tokens like insight to this cause; he eventually gave an entire building. In the late 1990s, Butler donated his own home to Bloomington Restoration Inc. after living in the house next to Second Baptist for more than four decades. Through his role as Bloomington Township trustee, he provided relief and connected residents to support resources in their times of need.
Butler also played a key role in breaking down racial inequality in local employment. He helped pave the way for Black teachers to be employed in Bloomington's public schools through his tireless encouragement of LaVerta Terry, who was the city's first African American public school teacher hired on contract. His commitment to education access can still be found today through the Dr. Ernest D. Butler Humanitarian Scholarship, which helps cover tuition expenses for many students at IU.
He has since been inducted in the Monroe County Hall of Fame and a 9-acre park at the intersection of West Ninth and North Fairview Streets is named for him. Butler died in 2003, but his impact, as well as his message of equality for all, continue to be felt throughout his community.