wfn.org | ABCUSA: FORMER OHIO EXEC. CHAPMAN DIES

[RICH.SCHRAMM@ecunet.org]

AMERICAN BAPTIST NEWS SERVICE 
Office of Communication  
American Baptist Churches USA 
P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851 
Phone: (610)768-2077 / Fax: (610)768-2320 
Web: www.abc-usa.org
Richard W. Schramm, Director 
 E-mail: richard.schramm@abc-usa.org

JOSEPH CHAPMAN, AMERICAN BAPTIST 
EXECUTIVE IN OHIO AND MINNESOTA 
AND FIRST DIRECTOR OF MINISTERS-AT-LARGE 
PROGRAM, DIES
 Word has been received of the death March 14 of 
Dr. Joseph I. Chapman, longtime American Baptist 
executive minister in both Minnesota and Ohio and the 
first national director of the American Baptist Churches 
USA Ministers-At-Large program.
 Chapman was called to be executive minister for 
the American Baptist Churches of Ohio in 1960 and led 
that region's work until 1976.  He was a member of the 
National Staff Council, the Commission on the Ministry, the 
Town and Country Commission, the Planning Committee 
for Key '73 and the Study Commission on Denominational 
Relationships.  He also held board responsibilities at 
Judson College, Elgin, Ill.; Sioux Falls College, Sioux Falls, 
S.D.; and Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, 
Lombard, Ill.
 Prior to his leadership in Ohio Chapman was 
pastor of Bethany Baptist Church in Pontiac, Mich. He also 
served pastorates in Georgetown and Brooklyn, New York.  
While in Pontiac he was elected a vice president of the 
(then) American Baptist Convention.  
 Chapman previously had been executive minister 
of the American Baptist Churches of Minnesota for ten 
years, and was a board member of the Baptist Hospital 
Fund in Minnesota for many years. 
 Chapman resigned his position in Ohio to lead and 
develop the new national Ministers-At-Large Program.  A 
similar region program had been established by Chapman 
in Ohio.  The MAL Program, now part of Interim Ministries-
ABC, provides interim pastoral leadership for American 
Baptist congregations and other organizations.
 A memorial service was held March 24 at John 
Knox Village in Orange City, Fla.  Memorial contributions in 
Joseph Chapman's name may be made to the John Knox 
Village Foundation/Spiritual Life Committee or to Judson 
College (1151 N. State St., Elgin, IL 60123-1498).  
Condolences may be sent to: Mrs. Joseph Chapman, 31A 
Floribunda Circle, Orange City, FL 32763-6108.

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