The Reverend Kirby James Hensley (July 23, 1911 – March 19, 1999) was the president and founder of the Universal Life Church (ULC.)
Hensley was born as second in a family of seven children on July 23, 1911, in the mountains of Lowgap, North Carolina. For over 65 years he studied and preached religion throughout the United States. An illiterate his entire life, he hired people to read the Bible to him and later listened to recordings of the Bible on tape.[1]
Hensley was ordained in the Baptist Church, but after preaching for several years he left that denomination and attended the Pentecostal Churches in the area. Through this church he married his first wife Nora and they had two daughters. He pastored in Oklahoma and California.
Hensley divorced Nora and moved to North Carolina, where he met his second wife Lida. During their forty-six-year marriage they had one daughter and two sons. He had two daughters from his first marriage.
It was shortly after returning to California with his family that he started to work with the idea of forming a church for all people. The one overruling principle guiding the ULC was to have respect for all faiths.
Rev. Hensley ran for President of the United States as a third party candidate under the third Universal Party in 1964 and 1968, with Roscoe MacKenna as his running mate.
Hensley remained as President of the church until his death on March 19, 1999. During this time he wrote many sermons and even appeared on 60 Minutes.[2]
The song "Modesto Messiah" written by Jonathan Newton and performed by David Raymer was written about Kirby.
| Non-profit organization positions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Office created |
President of the Universal Life Church 1962–1999 |
Succeeded by Lida Hensley |