Bishop Samuel W. Ellis

A Traumatic Beginning, A Tranquil Transition Let us tell you what’s in between…. On October 15, 1936, while Deacon William Ernest Ellis and Clara Ellis were excitedly awaiting the arrival of their eighth child, Clara went into labor prematurely. The doctors at the old Chester Hospital had news for them that changed their excitement into dreaded fear. “We might be able to save the mother, but the baby will not survive.” Deacon Ellis did what he knew best to do, call on the saints at First Pentecostal to pray. He knew that the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous “ could reverse their situation, and it did. A divine reversal of the doctor’s diagnosis occurred. The saints prayed and God reversed what the doctors said. Both baby and mother lived – a beautiful reversal of that traumatic beginning. The parents named their child Samuel Walter. Samuel, in spite of being born prematurely, grew and developed like any other child who had been born full term, thanks to God’s divine intervention. He attended the elementary schools in Chester, Pennsylvania until his family moved to Philadelphia, where he completed his education. He actively participated in the Young People’s Holy Association (YPHA), Sunday School and Vacation Bible School at First Pentecostal Holy Church. Samuel , at an early age, when youngsters would talk about what they wanted to be when they grew up, always gave the same response. “I want to be a preacher just like Elder Strobhar.” He loved and respected his pastor so much that he wanted to be just like him. As children, Samuel and his future wife, Vernadine Breakley, attended the same church, participating in church ministries. He often told the story about seeing Vernadine at a church function in Woodside Park. When he saw her in her bobby socks, he fell head over heels in love. He said Elder Strobhar always admonished the young people to pray for a spouse. So, his prayer was, “Lord, please send me a wife, and please make it Vernadine.” His prayer was answered. Samuel and Vernadine, whom he affectionately called Vern, fell in love and were married on September 28, 1957. From this union, Vida Lorraine and Lisa Marie were born. The only time the newlyweds were separated was when he served four years in the United States Navy. Upon honorable discharge from the Navy, Samuel returned home and gained employment. He worked at several places including Lasko’s, General Electric Company and Strawbridge and Clothier. Samuel’s call to the ministry precipitated his desire for preparation to become the kind of servant that God desired. This preparation to preach led him to Westminster Theological Seminary. Upon completion of his course of study, he had no idea what his next assignment would be - Pastor of First Pentecostal Holy Church. Bishop Strobhar announced to the church that he was appointing Elder Samuel W. Ellis pastor. During his early years of pastoring, church membership tripled, and land was purchased for future expansion. The membership grew spiritually and impacted the surrounding community, and eventually the city of Chester. Many ministries that provided spiritual growth and development to the congregation, and service to the community, were initiated under his leadership: among them were expansion of the Missionary Department, which included Prison Ministry, Door-to-Door Ministry, feeding the community on Thanksgiving Day and distributing Christmas baskets to the needy; a growing ministerial staff, First Pentecostal Holy Church Community Development Corporation, Drug and Alcohol Abuse counseling, radio ministry, Precious Seed Christian Day Care Center, and the School of Ministry. Bishop Ellis was indeed a visionary. He saw his long-awaited vision become reality in the building of Pentecostal Square affordable housing for senior citizens, the Samuel W. Ellis Medical Center and First Pentecostal Holy Church Community Center. The United Holy Church of America recognized the hand of God on Elder Ellis, his faithfulness, integrity and leadership abilities, and appointed him District Elder over the Delaware Sub-District. In 2012 he was consecrated Bishop at the United Holy Church Convocation. He served the Northern District well as 2nd Vice President and Vice President. He also served on the Board of Elders. Despite his many responsibilities to the church, Bishop Ellis was a devoted husband and a doting father, grandfather and great-grandfather, always loving and caring for his family. He loved his Vern and had no problem letting the world know it, often making her blush as he shared amusing stories during his Sunday morning sermons. He was a loving father to his two daughters, whom he managed with the gentle, loving hand that girls need from their fathers. He attended his grandchildren’s school programs and sporting events, and helped to shuttle them around from one activity to another. He was quiet, with a consistently calm temperament, and he handled his family with unconditional kindness, concern and love. Bishop Ellis, servant of the Most High God, a man of quiet demeanor and impeccable integrity, transitioned from this earthly realm to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at 12:05 AM on September 25, 2021. He left a legacy of the importance of a relationship with God, through prayer, commitment, love, integrity and faithfulness, to the entire congregation at First Pentecostal Holy Church. He loved his congregation unconditionally and taught them the Word of God with authority, clarity and power. He left this same legacy to the Northern District Convocation, where he served with integrity, willingly, energetically and faithfully, and to the general body of the United Holy Church of America, Inc. Most of all, he leaves his legacy and cherished memories to his loving, faithful wife, Vernadine Ellis whom he adored for 64 years; his daughters, Vida M. Johnson and Lisa Waring (Maceo); grandchildren, Shleah, Reginald Jr., and Alisha McKiethan, Devon Waring, Javon Johnson (Stephanie), Jaron Waring; grandchildren by marriage, Vandelyn Waring and Maceo Waring IV; great-grandchildren, Christian Jones, Dominique and Jaden Curry, Karter and Kendall Fields, Jayla Jeffrey, Andres and Savannah Johnson; two sisters-in-law, Doris Ellis and Mary Frances Corporal; godson, Clifford Jordan; goddaughter, Dionne Bostick; nieces, nephews and cousins; Andrea McLaughlin, with whom he had a father-daughter relationship, and the First Pentecostal Holy Church family In 2 Timothy 4:7, Paul summarizes the final journey of a true servant who is ready to leave this earthly realm, and go to spend eternity with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Bishop Ellis fought a good fight. Bishop Ellis kept the faith. Bishop Ellis finished his course. Matthew 25:21 says “Well done thou good and faithful servant…”. He has entered into the joy of the Lord. Let us celebrate together! Joyfully submitted, The Family https://youtu.be/YrIEXjwJlgI

Bishop Samuel W. Ellis

October 15, 1936 - September 25, 2021