November 15, 2003
"Preparing Young Males to be Academic Olympians”
Featured
Reverend Dr. Leroy Attles, Sr.
as
2003 Omega Citizen of the Year
Dr. Attles is a native of Newark, NJ and is Senior Pastor of the St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church in Cambridge MA. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Wilberforce University in Ohio where he accepted the call to the ministry and met his wife, Henrietta. Dr Attles studied for the ministry at Payne Theological Seminary and the Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge. He earned his Master of Arts degree at Kane College in Union NJ and his doctoral degree in Sociology and Education from Rutgers University.
Dr. Attles and Dr. Henrietta S. Attles are the proud parents of Rev. Kanice Johns and husband, Timothy Johns; LeRoy Jr., and wife, Margo; and Rev. Dr. Louis Attles and wife Kelly. They have seven grandchildren.
During 15 years in the New Jersey Annual Conference, he pastored at four different churches and provided guidance and leadership as Secretary of the Conference and Director of Christian Education. Since coming to the New England Conference, Dr. Attles has served as Vice Chairman of the First Episcopal District Board of Christian Education. Chairman of the Board of Examiners for the New England Annual Conference and President of the Institute for Ministerial Training.
Under his tutelage more than 100 persons have accepted the call to the Christian Ministry. Many are pastoring throughout the A.M.E. connectional church.
In addition, he currently provides field education supervision to graduate students at Boston University School of Theology, Gordon-Cornwell Theological Seminary and Harvard Divinity School.
As a member of the Board of Trustees of Andover-Newton Theological Seminary, Dr. Attles uses his expertise to provide direction and oversight to developmental issues of future ministers. He is Vice-President of the Cambridge Black Pastors Conference, Vice-President of the Black Ministerial Alliance and Chairman of the Black Church Capacity Building program. He also mentors students at Boston College.
In his 25 years at St Paul A.M.E. church, A Christian Life Center was established housing an accredited elementary school with a preschool and infant toddler program, a bookstore, and individual psychotherapy. Under his leadership, the church provides accommodations for homeless families through conversion of buildings, provides affordable housing for moderate income families and has built low income unites.
Elements of Dr. Attles’ ministry have been cited as outstanding and featured in many publications, television programs, and by many state and local officials.
