Charles Henry Parkhurst was an influential American pastor born on April 17, 1842 in Framingham, Massachusetts. He attended Amherst College and graduated in 1866, after which he pursued further studies at the Union Theological Seminary. Parkhurst became a prominent figure in the late 19th century as the pastor of Madison Square Presbyterian Church in New York. He gained widespread recognition for his social activism, particularly in exposing corruption in the city’s political and police systems. In 1892, he delivered a series of highly critical sermons known as the “municipal gospel,” which directly confronted the widespread vices of the city and called for reform. His courageous efforts led to a major investigation into municipal corruption, ultimately resulting in the indictment of several high-ranking officials. Charles Henry Parkhurst’s dedication to social justice and influential work as a clergy member left a lasting impact on American society. He passed away on September 8, 1933.