Resolution to Rename Diamond St.

Resolution to Rename Diamond St. Father Paul Washington AvenueCity of Philadelphia
City of Philadelphia - 1 -
City Council
Chief Clerk’s Office
402 City Hall
Philadelphia, PA 19107
RESOLUTION NO. 070133
Introduced February 22, 2007
Councilmembers Clarke, Rizzo, Kelly, O’Neill, DiCicco,
Savage, Miller, Tasco, Krajewski, Greenlee,
Kenney, Reynolds Brown, Goode, Ramos, Campbell and Blackwell
Referred to the
Committee on Streets and Services
RESOLUTION
Also naming Diamond Street from 16th Street through 19th Street “Father Paul
Washington Avenue.”
WHEREAS, Paul Washington was born in Charleston, South Carolina on May 26
1921. He attended the well-known Avery Institute, which prepared him for his entry to
Lincoln University; and
WHEREAS, He graduated from the Philadelphia Divinity School of the Episcopal
Church. He did his pastoral work at the Church of The Crucifixion at 8th Bainbridge
Streets in South Philadelphia, where he met his lovely wife to be and soul mate-his Little
Christine; and
WHEREAS, 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 Father Paul would allow them to meet at the
Advocate; and
WHEREAS, 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; and
WHEREAS, In 1971, the Church of The Advocate was the site for the rally to
raise money for the Angela Davis Defense Fund; and
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WHEREAS, The 1970s also marked Father Paul’s and the Advocate’s increasing
involvement in another area of inequality-the role of women in the Episcopal Church; and
WHEREAS, 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; and
WHEREAS, He was widely known and revered. At the request of then-Attorney
General Ramsey Clark, Father Paul participated in the international peace conference in
Iran that was forbidden by the U.S. government. He was honored far and wide; and
WHEREAS, During his years at the Advocate, Father Paul 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; and
WHEREAS, 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; and
WHEREAS, Father Paul departed this life on Oct. 7, 2002, survived by his wife,
one daughter, three sons, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. At his
resurrection service more than 1,000 people attended-equal parts black and white, rich
and poor, conservative and liberal, straight and gay, men and women, community and
establishment. His love reached out to all; now therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That Diamond Street between 16th Street and 19th Street also be
named “Father Paul Washington Avenue.”

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