OLIN PRESTON MOYD was born on March 6, 1930 to Alton Edward and Angeline Bertha Moyd in Jamestown, South Carolina. He transferred to his new life on Sunday, July 3, 2005.
He was baptized in the Jerusalem Baptist Church in Jamestown at the age of sixteen, in 1946.
In 1949, he was married to Ruth Brown. Two children were born to them before they separated in 1952, namely Alton and Gloria Jane. All of the children who were subsequently born to Ruth affectionately call him “Dad.”
It was May 10, 1955 that Olin P. Moyd and Marie E. Whiting were united together in holy matrimony. They became the proud parents of five daughters, namely Marlene, Angeline, Olinda and Olivia (twins) and Anita .
Olin attended public school in his hometown, earned his High School GED while serving in the U.S. Army in Austria 1953-1955. After being honorably discharged from the U.S. Army with the rank of Corporal in 1955, he entered the Cortez W. Peters Business School, graduating in 1957. He earned a Bachelor of Theology degree from Temple Theological College of Jesus Christ in New York City, through correspondence courses in 1963.
In 1968, he was awarded the B.A. degree in Sociology by Morgan State College (now Morgan State University). Rev. Moyd earned the Master of Divinity degree (Cum Laude) at Howard University School of Divinity in 1972. Continuing his educational pursuit, he earned the Ph.D. Degree in Theology at the Ecumenical Institute of Theology, St. Mary’s Seminary and University.
The honorary Doctor of Divinity (D.D.) degree was bestowed on him by Temple Theological College in 1974 and the honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) was bestowed upon him by the Lynchburg Seminary in Lynchburg, Virginia in 1975.
Other honors and awards included the Miles W. Conner Awards, Baptist Congress of Christian Education, 1971; and the Daniel Grafton Hill, Jr. Award, Howard University School of Divinity, 1972. This award is presented annually to the student “who in the judgment of the faculty, best exemplifies those qualities of character, scholarship and human relations which the faculty seeks ideally to promote.” The 150th Anniversary Citation, Division of Educational Ministries, American Baptist Churches in the U.S.A., 1974. Inducted in the Society of Living Makers of Negro History by the Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. 1980. Named Distinguished Lecturer, Ecumenical Institute of Theology St. Mary’s Seminary and University 1985-1986, 1988-1989 and again 1998-2000 school years. He received the Distinguished Faculty Award on the occasion of the 25th Anniversary of the Ecumenical Institute in 1993.
At his 35th Pastoral Banquet, Dean Michael Gorman of the Ecumenical Institute of Theology announced the bestowal upon Dr. Moyd of the Permanent Dunning Distinguished Lecturer Award. At his 40th Pastoral Banquet, Dean Gorman announced the establishment of two scholarships in the name of Pastor Moyd.
His employment includes farm hand in South Carolina, laborer for home building contractor in Baltimore, Bethlehem Steel Co. (three weeks), Maryland Slag Co., 1955-1956; Firefighter, Baltimore City Fire Department 1956-1964. He participated in the leadership of integrating the Baltimore City Fire Department. Dr. Moyd and his family owned and operated the Moyd Confectionery Store from 1960 to 1964.
Dr. Moyd served on the faculty of the Ecumenical Institute of Theology from 1972 until 2004. He taught at the United Baptist College and Seminary since 1974 and served as its president from 1990 through 1998.
After serving three years as an assistant minister he was called to the pastorate of the Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church in 1964. In May 2004 he was elevated to Senior Pastor and he celebrated his 40th Pastoral Anniversary on July 17, 2004.
Many ministries were initiated and expanded under his leadership. They include the Mt. Lebanon Federal Credit Union, the Open Line to the Good News, a family radio ministry and the Mt. Lebanon Culinary Arts Ministry, a full-service catering ministry. He led the congregation in the construction of a new $2.2 million church facility.
Dr. Moyd served in many capacities in the National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., Inc. including Director of the Ministers Division of the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education. He also served in several capacities in the American Baptist Church U.S.A. Region of the South.
His interest in civic and community affairs also included running for political office.
Redemption in Black Theology and The Sacred Art: Preaching and Theology in the African American Tradition are two of his leading books among several other publications and articles for religious periodicals and journals.
Dr. and Mrs. Moyd (who preceded him in death on March 14, 2005) traveled to many countries around the world including four countries in Africa, Argentina, Russia, Germany, the Holy Land, Egypt, Australia and New Zealand. He was a preacher and lecturer across the nation and around the globe.
He leaves to cherish his memory: a son, Alton (Alice); six daughters, Gloria Jane (Donald), Marlene (William), Angeline (Gary), Olinda (John), Olivia (Ronald) and Anita; two brothers, Warren and George; one sister, Tennie Katherine Scott; god-daughter, Pastor Roslyn Chuwkwu Emeka; one aunt, seventeen grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, in-laws and a host of cousins and friends.
