Founder

Rev. Phelps. was born in Reidsville, N.C., and graduated from Clark College in Atlanta with a degree in mathematics; he was 19 at the time. 

He received his divinity degree from Gammon Theological Seminary in Atlanta and did graduate work at Boston University, Howard University, and San Diego State University. 

Rev. Phelps was ordained into the ministry of the United Methodist Church when he was 22. He served as a Navy chaplain after pastorates in Massachusetts and Maryland. 

After leaving the service, he moved to San Diego. He was appointed pastor of St. Pauls United Methodist Church in 1955 and retired from the ministry in 1992. 

Rev.  Phelps was pastor of St. Paul United Methodist Church for 37 years and the first black to run for public office in San Diego.

Rev. Phelps helped found the Southeast Interdenominational Ministry Alliance. He cared a lot about people and was constantly doing things to improve their lot. 

Rev. Phelps helped found the Gingerbread Daycare Centers, which administered San Diego's first Head Start programs. 

He also helped establish the Bay Vista Methodist Heights Apartments, a federally supported 268-unit complex, and served on its board until his death August 17th, 1997. 
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