Paul Washington

Paul Washington (1921–2002) was an Episcopal priest and community activist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Washington was born in Charleston, South Carolina, United States 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 in 1947, Washington and his wife went to Liberia as missionaries. There, Washington served as business manager of Cuttington College during its post-war revival and rebuilding, Cuttington went on to educate many African leaders. For a time Washington was its acting president. The couple returned from Liberia to Philadelphia in 1954 because their son Paul Marc was suffering from repeated malaria attacks. At this time, he was appointed Vicar of St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church in the Elmwood (now Eastwick) section of Philadelphia.

In 1962, Washington was made rector of the George W. South Memorial Church of the Advocate in Philadelphia, a position he held for 25 years until his retirement in 1987.

During his years at the Advocate, Washington served as Episcopal Chaplain at Eastern State Penitentiary. He served on the MOVE Commission established by then-Mayor Wilson Goode to investigate the May 13, 1985 aerial bombing by Philadelphia police of a rowhouse fortified by MOVE members and the ensuing conflagration that killed 11 people and destroyed 61 homes. The Commission found the bombing "unconscionable" and suggested methods the city of Philadelphia might use to prevent similar future situations. Washington also served as 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, Christine, 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.

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