Resolution 170482

..Title Also naming the 5800 block of Race Street as "Rev. Albert F. Campbell Way" in honor of Reverend Dr. Albert F. Campbell, to commemorate his forty-seven years of preaching at Mount Carmel Baptist Church. ..Body WHEREAS, Reverend Dr. Albert F. Campbell was born on September 19, 1932 in Wichita, Kansas. Dr. Campbell grew up in the church and his fondest childhood memories are of times that he and his family spent at the Washington Street Church of God in Christ in his hometown; and WHEREAS, At the age of 13, Dr. Campbell moved to Denver Colorado. It was in Denver that Dr. Campbell subsequently met and married his wife, the late Ruth Arylne Price. They were married for over sixty two years and had two children; and WHEREAS, After his time in Denver, Dr. Campbell's calling to ministry brought him to several cities across the country, such as Fort Worth and Marshall, Texas, and New York City, until he accepted the call to become the Pastor of the Mount Carmel Baptist Church of Philadelphia; and WHEREAS, At Mount Carmel, Dr. Campbell was known for his visionary leadership. Under Dr. Campbell, Mount Carmel gained worldwide recognition as a dominant force for preaching the word, serving the congregation, providing programs for the youth and supporting people in the community; and WHEREAS, Dr. Campbell was responsible for establishing the Church Mission Statement, which defines Mount Carmel's goal of meeting the "spiritual, physical, emotional, social, and economic needs of membership and community"; and WHEREAS, Many successful programs were completed during Dr. Campbell's era, including The Mount Carmel Garden Apartments, to support housing needs in the West Philadelphia community, and the burning of a nearly one million dollar mortgage that paid for major church renovations and expansions, and for the erection of an Educational Service Building. Dr. Campbell was also responsible for the purchase of the Community Service Property at 5900 Race Street, the purchase of a new church organ, the installation of the church's elevator, and the renovation of the lavatories; and WHEREAS, Dr. Campbell's educational experiences consist of a Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary in New York, a Bachelors of Arts from Bishop College in Fort Worth, Texas, and an Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary; and WHEREAS, Dr. Campbell's involvement outside of Mount Carmel church includes the Board of Trustees for Eastern College, as well as involvement in the Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity, Baptist Pastors and Ministers Conference of Philadelphia and Vicinity, Pennsylvania Baptist State Convention, National Baptist State Convention, American Baptist Churches, Executive Committee, and many other organizations; and WHEREAS, Dr. Campbell has said that the forty-seven years as Pastor of Mount Carmel Baptist Church were the most challenging, demanding, and rewarding years of his life. Now happily retired, Dr. Campbell still enjoys his calling, which is "preaching the word"; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That the dedicated service of Reverend Dr. Albert F. Campbell to Mount Carmel Baptist Church is honored and the 5800 block of Race Street shall henceforth also be known as "Rev. Albert F. Campbell Way". FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Reverend Dr. Albert F. Campbell as evidence of the sincere respect and appreciation of this legislative body. ..End