Douglass Fitch

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infant Douglass Edward Fitch was born in St. Louis Missouri in November of 1936. The youngest of six children, Douglass was named after one of the most prominent figures in African-American and United States history, “Frederick Douglass”. Although raised in a racially segregated and poor neighborhood, Douglass’ early life was built on a foundation of love and affirmation. His single mother taught her children the importance of hard work, self-respect, and confidence to do anything you set your mind to. The influence of both the Baptist and Pentecostal churches exposed young Douglass to a community of love, hope and inspiration. One of the church elders told young Douglass he would be a preacher someday and Douglass shrugged it off never thinking it would be a possibility or even an area of interest for him.

A bright young student, Douglass received a full scholarship for his college education. While a sophomore pursuing a career in medicine, Douglass experienced a “defining moment” when he heard the words of a Reverend Mrs. Kresge on his campus. She spoke about the life of a Christian missionary and Douglass’ life was forever changed. “My heart and my mind changed and I knew she was talking to me.” Douglass changed his major from Pre-Medicine to Philosophy and Religion. He made the commitment that he was going to devote his life to being a Christian minister.

The path to becoming a minister in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s for an African-American male had its obstacles. In 1958, when Douglass arrived on the all white campus of the Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky, he was met with two carloads of white males chasing him with guns attempting to kill him. While banging on the dorm room doors of his classmates to let him in so he could hide, all but one door remained closed. Douglass remembers hiding inside the room and praying behind a dresser as he heard his attackers insist on searching each room. Miraculously, Douglass was not found that day. When he returned home to St. Louis the following day to share the news with his mother as to why he could not go back to the seminary, his mother asked him if he truly had faith in God. Another defining moment and words that he would never forget from his mother: “If you start running now, when will you ever stop?” Douglass returned to Asbury Theological Seminary in Kentucky the next day.

Some of the highlights of Douglass’ career include debating Malcolm X, working with Dr. Martin Luther King, and being involved as a minister in all aspects of the civil rights movement promoting equality and justice. Douglass has also been blessed with a long list of congregations in which he has had the privilege of serving as a pastor.

The foundation of Douglass' ministry has always been about inclusion and not just tolerance. "Inclusion of all people embraces our diversity which may show up in our religious traditions, ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, gender orientations, and economic backgrounds," just to name a few categories. "I believe the 21st Century Church will learn to honor diversity, stand against oppression and find common ground in unconditional love and forgiveness. This is what Jesus of the Gospel stood for and it has been my guiding force since I entered the ministry."

Douglass has two adult children, Douglass Fitch II and Cora Fitch from his first wife Charity Taylor Fitch. They were married for thirty two years until Charity lost her battle to cancer in 1995. In 2007, Douglass married Angeli Fitch. They live with their two beloved cats Security and Graceson Fitch.

EDUCATION | Back to top

Bachelor of Arts - Liberal Arts, Greenville College , Greenville, IL 1958
Master of Divinity - Gammon Seminary, Atlanta, GA 1961
Doctor of Divinity – Reed School of Religion, Los Angeles, CA 1963
Doctor of Philosophy – Claremont School of Theology, Claremont, CA 1982

SCHOLARLY HONORS

1970–1972 Rockefeller Fellow, Doctoral Studies
1968 Honorary Degree, DD, Reed School of Religion, Los Angeles, CA
1958 Alpha Kappa Sigma Honor Society
1958 Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities

MOST RECENT AWARDS FOR OUTSTANDING LIFELONG MINISTRY

2007 “Douglass Fitch Day June 17, 2007” City of San Francisco, Mayor Gavin Newsom
2007 Outstanding Achievement, Congressional Award, Congresswoman Barbara Lee
2007 Bishop Melvin G. Talbert Award, Annual Conference, United Methodist Church
2006 Outstanding leader in United Methodism nationwide, Claremont School of Theology

ORDAINED MINISTRY

1999–2007 Pastor and Co-Pastor, Glide Memorial Church San Francisco CA
1987–1999 Pastor, Downs Memorial United Methodist Church Oakland CA
1984–1987 Director of Council on Ministries–California Pacific & Desert Southwest Annual Conferences
1978–1984 Associate General Secretary- Board of Higher Education & Ministry, United Methodist Church, Nashville TN
1974-1978 Director of Division of Ordained Ministry- Board of Higher Education & Ministry Nashville, TN
1973-1974 Pastor, Crenshaw United Methodist Church, Los Angeles , CA
1971-1973 Associate Pastor, Vermont Square United Methodist Church, Los Angeles , CA
1968-1970 Associate Director, The Detroit Industrial Mission: (Ecumenical Agency: Roman Catholic, Episcopalian, United Presbyterian, United Methodist, United Church in Christ), Detroit, MI
1964-1968 Pastor, Epworth United Methodist Church, Los Angeles, CA
1961-1964 Pastor, Christ Temple CME Church, San Bernadino, CA
1960-1961 Student Pastor, Mt. Zion CME Church, Vienna GA