Reverend James D. Peters, Jr., a civil rights activist and friend of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., passed away Saturday. He was 92 years old.

His death was announced by community leader Sylvia Morgan-Smith. She said in part, “Reverend Peters dedicated his life to faith, community, and love.”

Peters, originally from Connecticut, was a founding member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in the 50s and 60s.

Colorado State Rep. Rhonda Fields called Peters “a pillar of faith, wisdom, and unwavering commitment” in a Facebook post Monday.

Here in Denver, he served as a member of the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and as pastor of New Hope Baptist church for 28 years. When 9NEWS spoke to him in 2018, Peters estimated that he’d given about 1,000 speeches not only in Colorado and Connecticut but around the country on topics from faith to civil rights.

A viewing will be held at New Hope Baptist Church, 3701 Colorado Boulevard, at 6 p.m. Friday, May 16. The funeral service to celebrate Peters’ life will take place on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at the church.

For more on this story and others, visit The Denver Gazette’s news partner 9NEWS.