LOS ANGELES– Rev. Cecil L. “Chip” Murray, an influential pastor and civil rights leader who used his tenure at one of Los Angeles’ oldest churches to uplift the predominantly black neighborhoods of South Los Angeles in the wake of one of the worst race riots in the country. , is dead. He was 94 years old.
Murray died Friday, according to a statement from the USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture. He died of natural causes, his son, Drew Murray, told the Los Angeles Times.
Born in Lakeland, Florida, in 1929, Murray spent 27 years as pastor of the First African Methodist Episcopal Church in Los Angeles. The church was small when he took over. But by the time he retired, the church had grown into a megachurch with 18,000 members.
In 1992, the acquittal of four police officers filmed violently beating Rodney King sparked an explosion of violence in predominantly black neighborhoods in South Los Angeles. Murray appeared as a calming presence and was a frequent guest on national television news shows. He used his connections with the city’s political and economic leaders to raise money for reconstruction efforts, including business loans and aid to people displaced by the violence.
“While many famous preachers have roots in Southern California, Chip Murray is unparalleled in his ability to mobilize the city of Los Angeles to heal racial and income inequality,” Donald said. E. Miller, Leonard K. Firestone Professor of Religion at USC and co-founder of the Center for Religion and Civic Culture.
During his tenure as pastor, First AME became a go-to stop for prominent politicians, including former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, as well as former California Governors Pete Wilson, Gray Davis and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Under Murray’s leadership, the church has worked to transform the community through a multitude of programs and initiatives, including job training, support for children in foster care, and the development of affordable housing for families low income.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said Murray dedicated his life to service, community and “putting God first in all things.”
“I had the absolute honor of working with him, praying with him and seeking his counsel,” Bass said. “My heart is with the First AME congregation and community today as we reflect on a legacy that changed this city forever.”
After retiring as pastor of First AME, he joined the faculty of the University of Southern California as the Tansey Professor of Christian Ethics, where he trained approximately 1,000 religious leaders in the “Murray Method » of church leadership.
ABC News
