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Recognizing and honoring Philadelphia's Reverend Melvin Floyd, by renaming the 5200 block of Wayne Avenue, "Reverend Melvin Floyd Way" to honor the life and legacy of Reverend Floyd, Founder and Pastor Agape Christian Chapel and the Neighborhood Crusades, Inc., where he tirelessly worked to prevent gang violence citywide and since 1970, successfully reaching youth and families for over 40 years.
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WHEREAS, Reverend Floyd was born in 1935 to Arthur and Sallie Mae Floyd, the youngest of five children. He grew up in North Philadelphia; and,
WHEREAS, Reverend Floyd joined a local gang when he was about 11, but found religion at the age of 12 following a street preaching event, later joining a nearby church, and leaving the gang; and,
WHEREAS, Reverend Floyd was the Army, serving in the Korean War from 1953 to 1955. He then joined the Philadelphia Police Department in 1959, serving several assignments including Juvenile Aid, and Gang Control Officer working for 17 exemplary years; and,
WHEREAS, Before leaving the Police Department, Reverend Floyd received several national and local awards, such as Philadelphia's Outstanding Policeman in 1968, and "Ten Outstanding Young Man of the Year" in 1969 for his work as a gang control officer, and also in 1969 was named one of the "10 Best Policemen in the World", as well as the Philadelphia Award in 1975; and,
WHEREAS, Reverend Floyd's loving wife, Elizabeth Anderson Floyd, who he'd married in 1962, encouraged him to do more about street violence. Following the senseless deaths of eight teenagers in one week in 1972, Reverend Floyd resigned from the Police Department to begin his mission ministering in the streets; and,
WHEREAS, Reverend and Mrs. Floyd later started Teen Haven, at 19th Street and Susquehanna Avenue, offering ping-pong and other games, with a mix of Bible verses; and,
WHEREAS, By 1987, the Floyds started Agape Christian Chapel at Greene and Seymour Streets in Germantown, which grew to serve as ...
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