The Rev. Lawrence Neale Jones, 88, dean emeritus of Howard University School of Divinity, died on Dec. 7.

Jones, a UCC minister, was dean of the Washington, D.C.-based school from 1975 to 1991. He also was the first African American to serve as dean of the faculty and acting president of the Union Theological Seminary in New York.

A devoted leader in intellectual and church circles, he authored many publications, including "African Americans and the Christian Churches 1619-1860," published two years ago by The Pilgrim Press when Jones was 86 years old.

"Much of what the [Howard University] School of Divinity has been able to accomplish over the years is due in large part to the contributions made by Dean Jones during his tenure," read a statement on the school's website. "Dean Jones was a visionary, scholar, educator, preacher, pastor, mentor, vanguard, statesman, historian and author."

Jones is credited with a decision to move the School of Divinity from Howard's main university campus to its current location on Randolph Street in northwest D.C. Under his leadership, the school significantly increased its student enrollment, faculty and financial resources, the school's statement said.

Jones held degrees from the University of Chicago, the Oberlin Graduate School of Theology and Yale University.

Services were to be held on Dec. 12 at Plymouth Congregational UCC in Washington, D.C., with the Rev. Calvin O. Butts III, pastor of Abyssinian Baptist Church in New York, as eulogist. The Rev. Graylan Hagler is senior minister.

Jones' wife, Mary Ellen Jones died in 2003. They had two children.