To celebrate Black History Month, we highlight the story of Rev. David Orr!

To celebrate Black History Month, we highlight the story of Rev. David Orr, (1902-1973) a founding member of CAY and president of the Board of Directors. Despite his 8th grade education, David became an ordained minister and entrepreneur. He owned several businesses including a barber shop, a restaurant, a grocery store, and a refuse company.

Rev. Orr migrated to York from Bamberg, South Carolina during the Great Migration in the late 1920’s in search of work with the railroad. He worked many jobs including selling ALAGA (which stands for Alabama and Georgia) syrup door-to-door and as a janitor. He eventually managed to save enough to purchase a dump truck and began a hauling business. During the Great Depression, Rev. Orr worked on the WPA-New Deal project to redevelop Codorus Creek. The economic hardships of the Depression were particularly challenging to African Americans who lacked equitable access to relief efforts. This void was recognized by community leaders including Rev. Orr, Dr. George Bowles, and Rev. Thomas Montouth. In 1931, they formed Crispus Attucks to meet the social service needs of African Americans.

Early efforts focused on child care, employment services, housing, and recreational activities. Rev. Orr led the way in integrating housing in York County when
he purchased his family home in an all-white suburb. He fought tirelessly for equality for the black community as a member of CAY, the NAACP, and within his role as V.P. of the York Men’s Civic Council. He was President of the CAY Board of Directors during a very challenging time in our history. He was a strong supporter of the civil rights movement and the nonviolent methods of Dr. Martin Luther King. He led the effort to build our current CAY Center on 605 S. Duke St.

As a tribute to his character, we will be naming our CAY HCC cultural event hall after Rev. Orr (see below). We had a wonderful conversation with his son Mr. Charles Orr, who provided much of the information in this article. Charles began his CA life as a kindergartener with Helen Thackston as his teacher. It is an honor to have him as the first interviewee for the CAY Living History Project.

For more CAY History and updates on the construction of our New CAY History and Culture Center, subscribe to our New CAY HCC Journal!