Father Richard T. Lawrence defended and protected impoverished and homeless folks who needed food, shelter, clothing, health care, and a safe place to be. He pastored St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church at the foot of the Jones Falls Expressway.
Although the Baltimore City government responded to the business sector's calls to hide or arrest these individuals, Father Lawrence took a public stance on the side of the despised and rejected. School of Social Work Instructor Jeff Singer, a colleague of Father Lawrence, was asked to eulogize this radical priest.