The Reverend Dr. Cecil L. “Chip” Murray, a prominent pastor and civil rights leader, passed away in Los Angeles at the age of 94. Born in Lakeland, Florida, in 1929, Murray served as the pastor of the First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Los Angeles for 27 years. He took over a small congregation, which grew to 18,000 members by the time of his retirement.
In 1992, after the acquittal of four police officers in the Rodney King case led to violent riots in South Los Angeles, Murray emerged as a calming presence. He used his platform to raise funds for recovery efforts, supporting businesses and individuals affected by the violence.
Murray's influence extended beyond his church, as he developed relationships with political and business leaders, including former presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, and former California governors Pete Wilson, Gray Davis, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. His church became a center for community development programs, offering job training, foster care support, and affordable housing initiatives.
Following his retirement from First AME, Murray joined the faculty at the University of Southern California as the Tansey Professor of Christian Ethics. There, he trained numerous faith leaders in his approach to church leadership, known as the "Murray Method."
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass commended Murray's dedication to service and community, stating that his legacy has had a lasting impact on the city. Murray is remembered as a transformative figure who used his influence to address racial and economic inequalities and to uplift the community he served.