Rev. William H. Golar
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Educated in Halifax N.S. where he was born and raised, William Harvey Golar took up the trade of bricklaying by the age of fifteen. He joined the firm of Coleman and Brown where he became a practicing apprentice at the age of twenty-one. During a revival held by Rev. Stephen Goosly, pastor of the Zion Church in Halifax, William was converted and became an active member of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church movement. In 1870, Golar moved to Boston and for three years he applied his trade, reaping very prosperous financial benefits. In 1873, he used his savings to pay for his entrance into Lincoln University. During the summer months Golar would work at his trade to cover the cost for the succeeding school term.
While at university, Golar met two individuals who would play important roles in his professional life. The first was Mr. E. Moore, who would go on to be a professor at Livingstone College and a mentor for Golar. The second was Dr. J.C. Price who became a life-long friend to William and the first president of Livingstone College. Golar graduated from Lincoln in 1878 with a B.A. degree, as the valedictorian of his class. In September of the same year, Golar entered theological seminary. Golar received his Bachelor of Divinity in April 1881. Dr. Price invited Golar to join him at Livingstone College, then called the Zion Wesley Institute. Golar gave the commencement address at the college in 1884; his delivery and message were so eloquently expressed that, by the end of his address, the trustees had already decided to install him as a professor at the college.
During his time at the college, Golar not only secured the funding for several buildings but actually did a lot of the brickwork himself. In 1883, Golar was elected dean of Livingstone College, with all of the powers of the president in the president’s absence. Lincoln University bestowed the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity upon Golar in April 1891 and, upon the death of his good friend Dr. J.C. Price, Dean Golar became College President William H. Golar in 1893, the first Black Canadian to hold such a position. Golar held this position until 1917 and scholars said that the trustee board should be congratulated for their choice of Golar.
