| Notes |
- Rev. Melvin R. Phillips came to Fort Wayne in 1973 when he accepted the position of Executive Minister, Associated Churches of Fort Wayne and Allen County. During his 15 years tenure, he gave leadership to develop and support the Food Bank System. He served in a number of community leadership roles, including the East Wayne Street Center and Mental Health Association of Allen County. Mr. Phillips held a lifelong commitment to ecumenical, interfaith, interracial understanding and cooperation, as well as civil rights, social justice and peace concerns. At one time he served as president of the Indiana Council of Churches. He was named a Sagamore of the Wabash by Governor O'Bannon in 2000. He was a member of First Baptist Church and the Downtown Rotary Club. He received his Master of Divinity degree at Colgate Rochester Divinity School, Rochester, NY in 1946. An ordained American Baptist minister, he was pastor of First Baptist Church, Jamestown, NY prior to moving to Fort Wayne. He also served First Baptist Church in Anderson, 1957 to 1967; and Shelbyville, 1950 to 1957. A native of West Virginia, Mr. Phillips graduated Alderson-Broaddus College, Philippi, WV and served as pastor at First Baptist Church, Kingwood, WV. [3]
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1921 - 2004 (83 years)
[1, 2]