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| "William J. Levitt in 1951" (Fuel Oil & Oil Heat 1954-11: Vol. 13 Iss. 11, public domain) |
After having solicited the Levitt Corporation for a donation of land to build an Episcopal Church in its new, all-white development in Levittown, NJ,[1] receiving a favorable response,[2] and taking the necessary steps to commit the diocese to the project,[3] Bishop Banyard wrote to William J. Levitt thanking him for the donation.[4] Months earlier, national newspapers had prominently reported Levitt’s anti-Black policy for home sales,[5] and Banyard was warned about it by many members of his diocese.[6] At the time he made a number of conflicting statements on the subject, all aimed at allaying concerns over the collaboration. He did, however, on multiple occasions[7] claim that he would bring the matter up to protest the policy, insisting that he was "taking a vigorous stand against any segregation."[8] He claimed to have mentioned it to VPs at the corporation,[9] but clearly had not done so in a way that would jeopardize the collaboration. And as can be seen from his “Thank you” note to Levitt, it does not appear that he ever brought the matter to him directly. Rather, Banyard praises the all-white development as “wonderful” and fawningly thanks Levitt for his “magnificent gift.” Here we can clearly see that Banyard ignored concerns over justice with the goal of benefitting the diocese financially. In so doing he allowed the reputation of the Episcopal Church to provide moral cover for the anti-Black policy of the Levitt Corporation. The letter is reproduced in full below.
Jolyon G. R. Pruszinski, Ph.D.
Reparations Commission Research Historian
Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey
[1] Diocesan officials had specifically asked for the donation from Levitt. See Gerald R. Minchin, “Presentation of Mission Program to the Diocesan Convention,” in The Journal of the 172nd Annual Convention of the Church in the Diocese of New Jersey Held in the Crypt of Trinity Cathedral, Trenton, Tuesday and Wednesday May 8th and 9th, 1956; 146: “The new Levittown, New Jersey, to be developed between Highway 130 and the New Jersey Turnpike just east of Beverly, is now in the grading and plotting stage… Land will be allocated for churches and I have already made such a request. The church structure must have a value of $100,000. Levitt and Sons, the developers, are kindly disposed toward our Church because of their previous experience in the Diocese of Long Island and Pennsylvania. I am sure that we will be allocated a fine strategic piece of property.
[2] See “Notes on Interview of Mr. Albert L. Hancock, Sr., Archdeacon Steinmetz and Bishop Banyard with Mr. Robert Hagen, representative of Levitt and Sons held on Friday, April 18th, 1958.” MSS held at Diocese of New Jersey archives, Trenton, NJ.
[3] The Journal of the 174th Annual Convention of the Church in the Diocese of New Jersey Held in the Crypt of Trinity Cathedral, Trenton Tuesday and Wednesday May 6th and 7th, 1958, page 94: “The Venerable Samuel Steinmetz, Jr. spoke of the new work being undertaken at Levittown, New Jersey, and move the following Resolution: ‘Be it Resolved that the establishment of a new work of the Church in New Jersey be undertaken at Levittown, New Jersey in the following manner: 1. That the Bishop of New Jersey be asked to accept the offer of Levitt & Sons of land made to him in behalf of the Diocese of New Jersey. 2. Recognizing the condition placed by Levitt & Sons in the donation of land for religious purposes this Convention authorizes the Bishop, together with the Trustees of the Diocesan Foundation to take any action which they deem necessary in order to realize the $200,000.00 needed for the establishment of a Church, Rectory and Parish Hall at Levittown, New Jersey.’” See also Alfred L. Banyard, “Bishop Banyard’s Convention Charge and Address to the 174th Annual Convention of the Diocese of New Jersey May 6, 1958,” in The Journal of the 174th Annual Convention of the Church in the Diocese of New Jersey, 99.
[4] “Alfred L. Banyard to William J. Levitt,” September 11, 1958. Scan reproduced courtesy of the Diocese of New Jersey. MSS held at Diocese of New Jersey archives, Trenton, New Jersey.
[5] E.g. Tom Barrett, “N.J. Levittown Started; Negro Exclusion Stands,” New York Herald Tribune, June 8, 1958.
[6] E.g. “Ralph C. Lasher to Alfred L. Banyard,” June 10, 1958. MSS held at Diocese of New Jersey archives, Trenton, NJ (See also Jolyon G. R. Pruszinski, "A Warning of “Trouble” over “Levitt’s policy of discrimination”: A Letter from the Rev. Lasher to Bishop Banyard, June 10, 1958," DNJRJR [July 7, 2026]: https://dionj-racialjusticereview.blogspot.com/2026/07/a-warning-of-trouble-over-levitts.html); “Junius F. Carter, Jr. to Alfred L. Banyard,” June 16, 1958. MSS held at Diocese of New Jersey archives, Trenton, NJ (See also Jolyon G. R. Pruszinski, "St. Augustine’s, Elizabeth hesitant to Fund Building a Segregated White Church in Levittown: A Letter from The Rev. Junius F. Carter, Jr. to Bishop Banyard, June 16, 1958 ," DNJRJR [August 3, 2026]: https://dionj-racialjusticereview.blogspot.com/2026/08/st-augustines-elizabeth-hesitant-to.html).
[7] Such as “the members of our diocesan family can count on my taking a vigorous stand against any segregation” which appeared in “Alfred L. Banyard to Junius F. Carter, Jr," June 18, 1958. MSS held at Diocese of New Jersey archives, Trenton, NJ (See also Jolyon G. R. Pruszinski, "Banyard Disputes Concerns Over Collaboration with Openly Racist Levitt Corporation: A Letter to The Rev. Carter, on June 18, 1958," DNJRJR [August 10, 2026]: https://dionj-racialjusticereview.blogspot.com/2026/08/banyard-disputes-concerns-over.html).
[8] As he said in his June 18, 1958 letter to the Rev. Junius F. Carter, Jr.: “Alfred L. Banyard to Junius F. Carter, Jr," June 18, 1958.
[9] “Alfred L. Banyard to Ralph C. Lasher,” June 16, 1958. MSS held at Diocese of New Jersey archives, Trenton, NJ (See also Jolyon G. R. Pruszinski, "Banyard’s Intent to Build a Church for the Segregated Levitt Co. Development, and Contempt for Concerned Black Leaders: A Letter to the Rev. Lasher, June 16, 1958," DNJRJR [July 23, 2026]: https://dionj-racialjusticereview.blogspot.com/2026/07/banyards-intent-to-build-church-for.html).
