Paul Washington
Encyclopedia
Paul Washington was an Episcopal priest and community activist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
.
Washington was born in Charleston
, South Carolina
, USA on May 26, 1921. He attended the Avery Institute and subsequently Lincoln University. Washington graduated from the Philadelphia Divinity School of the Episcopal Church. He did his pastoral work at the Church of The Crucifixion at 8th and Bainbridge Streets in South Philadelphia, where he met his future wife Christine.
Immediately after marriage, Washington and his wife went to Liberia
as missionaries. There, Washington helped found Cuttington College
, which went on to educate many African leaders. For a period of time Father Paul was its acting president. The couple returned to Philadelphia in 1954 when Father Paul was appointed Vicar of St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church in the Elmwood (now Eastwick)section of the city. In 1962, Father Paul was made rector at the Church of the Advocate
.
During his 25 years at the Advocate, he was recognized as one of the key leaders of the Black Power
movement. When there was nowhere else for gatherings to be held, it was known by all that Washington would allow them to meet at the Advocate. He hosted the National Black Power Conference in 1968. Two years later he hosted the Convention of the Black Panther Party
. Huey Newton was one of the speakers. In 1971, the Church of the Advocate was the site for the rally to raise money for the Angela Davis Defense Fund.
The 1970s also marked Washington's increasing involvement in another area of inequality, the role of women in the Episcopal Church. In 1974, Father Paul participated in the ordination of the first 11 women into priesthood. Although the ordination was highly controversial, this event marked a new era for both the Episcopal Church and the Church of the Advocate. He was widely known and revered. At the request of then-Attorney General Ramsey Clark, Washington participated in the international peace conference in Iran that was forbidden by the U.S. government. He was honored far and wide.
During his years at the Advocate, Washington served as Episcopal Chaplin at Eastern State Penitentiary
. He served on the Move Commission established by then-Mayor Wilson Goode and was the chaplain of the Advocate Communities Development Corporation's (ACDC) Board of Directors. He continued to serve ACDC until the fall of 1998. ACDC was established by his wife and constructed multimillion-dollar projects, rehab and new construction for those in need. Over 400 units of housing have been added to the North Philadelphia community.
Washington died October 7, 2002.
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
.
Washington was born in Charleston
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
, South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
, USA on May 26, 1921. He attended the Avery Institute and subsequently Lincoln University. Washington graduated from the Philadelphia Divinity School of the Episcopal Church. He did his pastoral work at the Church of The Crucifixion at 8th and Bainbridge Streets in South Philadelphia, where he met his future wife Christine.
Immediately after marriage, Washington and his wife went to Liberia
Liberia
Liberia , officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Sierra Leone on the west, Guinea on the north and Côte d'Ivoire on the east. Liberia's coastline is composed of mostly mangrove forests while the more sparsely populated inland consists of forests that open...
as missionaries. There, Washington helped found Cuttington College
Cuttington University
Cuttington University is a private university in Suacoco, Liberia. Founded in 1889 as Cuttington College by Episcopal Church of the United States , it is the oldest private, coeducational, four-year, degree-granting institution in sub-Saharan Africa.-History:In 1887, Robert Fulton Cutting,...
, which went on to educate many African leaders. For a period of time Father Paul was its acting president. The couple returned to Philadelphia in 1954 when Father Paul was appointed Vicar of St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church in the Elmwood (now Eastwick)section of the city. In 1962, Father Paul was made rector at the Church of the Advocate
Church of the Advocate
The George W. South Memorial Church of the Advocate, also known as the George W. South Memorial Protestant Episcopal Church, is a historic church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....
.
During his 25 years at the Advocate, he was recognized as one of the key leaders of the Black Power
Black Power
Black Power is a political slogan and a name for various associated ideologies. It is used in the movement among people of Black African descent throughout the world, though primarily by African Americans in the United States...
movement. When there was nowhere else for gatherings to be held, it was known by all that Washington would allow them to meet at the Advocate. He hosted the National Black Power Conference in 1968. Two years later he hosted the Convention of the Black Panther Party
Black Panther Party
The Black Panther Party wasan African-American revolutionary leftist organization. It was active in the United States from 1966 until 1982....
. Huey Newton was one of the speakers. In 1971, the Church of the Advocate was the site for the rally to raise money for the Angela Davis Defense Fund.
The 1970s also marked Washington's increasing involvement in another area of inequality, the role of women in the Episcopal Church. In 1974, Father Paul participated in the ordination of the first 11 women into priesthood. Although the ordination was highly controversial, this event marked a new era for both the Episcopal Church and the Church of the Advocate. He was widely known and revered. At the request of then-Attorney General Ramsey Clark, Washington participated in the international peace conference in Iran that was forbidden by the U.S. government. He was honored far and wide.
During his years at the Advocate, Washington served as Episcopal Chaplin at Eastern State Penitentiary
Eastern State Penitentiary
The Eastern State Penitentiary is a former American prison in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is located on 2027 Fairmount Avenue between Corinthian Avenue and North 22nd Street in the Fairmount section of Philadelphia and was operational from 1829 until 1971...
. He served on the Move Commission established by then-Mayor Wilson Goode and was the chaplain of the Advocate Communities Development Corporation's (ACDC) Board of Directors. He continued to serve ACDC until the fall of 1998. ACDC was established by his wife and constructed multimillion-dollar projects, rehab and new construction for those in need. Over 400 units of housing have been added to the North Philadelphia community.
Washington died October 7, 2002.