celebration | Honoring a leader

The Rev. Dr. Morris W. Lee, pastor of Third Baptist Church, 1177 Park Hill Drive, Youngstown, is marking his 50th year as pastor of the church. He has been in the ministry since 1957.

Banquet: A banquet is planned at 6 p.m. Oct. 22 at Mr. Anthony’s Banquet Center, 7440 South Ave., Boardman. More than 800 guests will attend, including public officials, clergy, church members, family and friends. For information, call the church office at 330-743-0640.

This month: The church is hosting various pastors at morning worship services on Sundays in October as another way to celebrate the Rev. Dr. Lee’s anniversary.

Other honor: At the 130th National Baptist Convention USA Inc. in September in Kansas City, Mo., Dr. Lee received a medal and plaque.

Background: Dr. Lee was born in Isle of Wright County, Va., and reared in Portsmouth, Va., where he attended school. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Virginia Union University in Richmond. He was narrator for the university choir and a soloist in the choir. He graduated cum laude with a master of divinity degree from the university’s graduate School of Religion. He served from 1957-60 as minister at Jerusalem Baptist Church of Doswell, Va. In September 1960, he was called to the pastorate at Third Baptist, where he succeeded the late Rev. Dr. S.S. Booker.

Dr. Lee has served as a member of the board of American Baptist Foreign Mission Society, Home Mission Board of the National Baptist Convention, executive board of the Lott Carey Foreign Mission Convention, board of trustees of the American Baptist Churches of Ohio and the Ohio Council of Churches. He has been past moderator of the Northern Ohio Baptist District Association, director of music for Ohio General Baptist Convention, chairman of Trumbull Baptist Neighborhood Ministries Committee, president of Youngstown Ministerial Association and president of Mahoning Valley Council of Churches. He is a past president of Community Action Council, Roberts Deliberating Club and Youngstown Torch Club. He is a past board member and founding member of Youngstown Area Urban League and is a member of the board of Youngstown Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. He is a member of Rising Sun Lodge 90, Bazaleel Consistory 15 and United Supreme Council Prince Hall Affiliation and associate grand chaplain of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ohio. He taught in Youngstown Extension of American Baptist Theological Seminary of Nashville, Tenn., and in the Black Studies Program at Youngstown State University. He received an honorary doctor of divinity degree from Virginia Union and completed course requirements for a doctorate in ministry at Ashland College. He was appointed to the Ohio Commission for Equality in the Justice System and was on the citizen search committee for the recent president of YSU and for superintendent of Youngstown schools.

Family: Dr. Lee is married to the former Beverly A. Chambliss, a retired teacher in Youngstown schools. They have two adult children, Morris Jr. and Miriam.