Edward W. Kelly
27 December 1880 - 28 July 1964
Bishop Edward Wendell Kelly
Bishop Edward Wendell Kelly, 83, died July 28 in Detroit. He was elected to the Episcopacy from the pastorate of Union Memorial Church in St. Louis in 1944 and served eight years as head of the St. Louis Area of the Central Jurisdiction. Since retirement Bishop Kelly made his home in Detroit and funeral services were held from Scott Memorial Church, July 31, with Bishop Matthew W. Clair, representing the Central Jurisdiction, presiding. Others participating in the service were Bishop Charles F. Golden of the Carolina Area, Bishop Marshall R. Reed, Dr. S.M. Riley, Jr., Dr. B.F. Holme, Dr. Clarence T.R. Nelson, Dr. David M. Jordan, and Dr. Damon P. Young. Interment was in Detroit Memorial Park.
He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Frances Cleaves Grant Kelly; one son, Dr. Edward W. Kelly, Jr., Detroit; two brothers, Harvey Kelly, Grand Rapids, Mich., and Andrew T. Kelly, Atlanta, Ga.; a step-son, Aaron Piper, Detroit, and two grandsons, Burnett and Edward W. Kelly, III.
- Michigan Christian Advocate, August 20, 1964
- Ordained in the Methodist Episcopal Church (South) in 1917 and served as pastor in several African-American congregations, including Scott Memorial Church in Detroit (1933-1938)
- After the 1939 merger, he became a member of the Central Jurisdiction which elected him as Bishop in 1944.
- Served as Bishop until he retired in 1952 to live in Detroit
Appointments
- 1933-1939: Detroit Scott Memorial African-American
- 1944: elected to the Episcopacy
- 1944-1952: Bishop, St. Louis Area (Central Jurisdiction)
- 1952-1964: retired