Elder Lightfoot Solomon Michaux

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Elder Lightfoot Solomon Michaux (Newport News, Virginia, November 7, 1884 - Washington, D.C., October 20, 1968) was an American radio evangelist, entrepreneur, and founder of the Church of God Movement; he was also known as the “Happy Am I Preacher.” Solomon Lightfoot Michaux was an evangelist and founder of the Church of God. In the 1930s, he realized the potential of using the media in spreading the gospel around the world. Much public opinion of Solomon Lightfoot Michaux was focused on his charismatic preaching, his mass annual baptizing, and his colorful radio ministry, including his cross choir. The media often focused on his legal problems, considering him to be a cult leader, faith healer, and conservative in his racial views. Michaux was born November 7, 1884, in Newport News, Virginia. His father John was of mixed French, Indian, and black heritage. John and Henry, his younger brother, became merchant seamen. They eventually settled in Newport News. John Michaux married May Blanche, whose ancestry was African, Indian, and French Jewish. Michaux became a fish peddler and grocer located on Jefferson Street, where many other Jewish and white non-Jewish merchants operated their businesses. The family lived in quarters above the family’s store. John Michaux was considered a successful, prominent businessman in the black community. Enhancing his status as a black man, he had light skin and straight hair, both considered marks of distinction, within the black community.

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