Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary to honor late alumnus
The Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary will bestow for the first time a posthumous honor upon one of its alumni.
The Rev. Maurice Chauncey Doss was pastor of Union Baptist Church in Swissvale for 25 years, making it a personal mission to help others. But family members say the East Liberty native was a humanitarian long before he became a minister.
He will be the 15th person to receive the seminary's Faithful Servant Award, which will be presented during a ceremony March 19.
Doss died Nov. 7, 2009, at the age of 58.
"I miss him greatly," said his older brother, Rod Doss, editor and publisher of The New Pittsburgh Courier. "He was a genuine person who had the ability to touch people in a way that everybody thought he was their best friend."
This will be the first time the honor has been bestowed upon a recipient posthumously, said Bethany Hardwig, a spokeswoman for the Point Breeze seminary. His widow, Charlotte, will receive the award on his behalf.
Maurice Doss graduated from Peabody High School and attended the University of Pittsburgh, where he majored in economics. Family members said that although Doss grew up in the church, his wife often is credited with being a supporting force behind his decision to enter the clergy.
He earned a master of divinity degree from the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 1991.
Maurice Doss also served on various boards and worked with organizations in Swissvale and the Mon Valley, including the Allegheny Governance Committee, the Rankin Christian Center and Eastern Area Adult Service Inc. He also served on the Allegheny County Jail Oversight Board.
The Courier, which has covered Pittsburgh's black community since 1910, named Maurice Doss one of its 50 Most Influential Black Men in Pittsburgh. He received the Outstanding Ministers Award from the Allegheny Union Baptist Association in 2009.
During his ministry at Union Baptist, he started Reach Up Inc., the nonprofit arm of the church that oversees several ministry programs, including a community food bank, prison ministry and community counseling services.
Additional Information:
If you go
What: The late Rev. Maurice Chauncey Doss, a graduate of Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary, is to be awarded the seminary's Faithful Servant Award.
When: The ceremony will be at 6:30 p.m. on March 19.
Where: Sheraton Station Square
Details: For more information, contact the seminary at 412-731-8690 or info@rpts.edu.
An RSVP is requested by phone, or by e-mail to kbackens@rpts.edu .
