Dr. Leonard Gaston “Len” Broughton was born on this day in 1865, in Wake County, to Gaston H. and Louisa Hawkins Franks Broughton. His father was a farmer who served in the Civil War and was captured at Gettysburg. After the war, and the release of his father, the family moved to Raleigh. The children were educated in Raleigh, with the financial assistance of a wealthy relative.
Len attended Wake Forest College and the Kentucky School of Medicine at Louisville, where he earned his medical degree.
He moved to Wilson County to practice medicine, and he also practiced in Reidsville. He contracted typhoid fever and experienced a long recovery. During his time of recovery, he decided to become a minister.
Len became the pastor of a small church in Winston in March 1891, and served for 18 months. This was possibly the Broad Street Baptist Church. The church grew in members and Len was sought after by other churches. He served churches in Roanoke and Atlanta.
In Atlanta he embarked on a building program that resulted in the Tabernacle Baptist Church, dedicated in 1899. This structure was quickly outgrown, and a new church was constructed.
Len started the Tabernacle Infirmary and the largest Bible Conference in the South at the time.
Len served at Christ Church in London, then came to Knoxville. He returned to Atlanta and the Tabernacle Baptist Church in 1929.
He was married to Roxana Barnes Broughton, and he passed away in 1936.
Photo courtesy of Forsyth County Public Library Photograph Collection.
