Obituary: Rev. Dr. Manuel C. Avila Jr., Baptist Pastor

Rev. Dr. Manuel C. Avila, Jr., 86, died on March 11, 2012 at Brandywine Hospital in Coatesville.

Born in New Bedford, MA, Pastor Avila was the son of a Portuguese minister.  He earned his B.A. degree from Gordon College in 1947, his Bachelor of Divinity degree from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1950, and his Master of Sacred Theology degree from Temple University in 1950.  In May 1981, Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary awarded him an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree.

In 1948, while he was a student at Eastern Seminary, Pastor Avila assumed his first pastorate at the historic Brandywine Baptist Church in Chadds Ford. He was ordained there June 1, 1950. In March, 1957, he became pastor of Springfield Baptist Church, which was five years old at the time.

Throughout his years in the ministry he served in many capacities in local, association, and regional levels. He was Secretary to the Delaware County Fundamental Ministerium, Chaplain of the Week at Taylor Hospital, Chairman of the Steering Committee for Jezreel Baptist in West Chester, Director of the Junior High Camp at Sunnybrook, President of the Portuguese Baptist Convention of New England, President of the Springfield Ministerium, Moderator of the Riverside Baptist Association, President of American Baptist Churches of Pennsylvania and Delaware, and Member of the Board of Trustees and President of the Alumni Association of Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

He became advisor to numerous ministerial interns and knew the joy of guiding at least 10 young people into full-time Christian vocations. He participated with Springfield Baptist Church in the ordinations of eight young people.

In November 1991, after 34 years of service to Springfield Baptist Church, Pastor Avila retired. In 1992, the congregation honored him as Pastor Emeritus.  He served as Interim Pastor at Calvary Baptist of Newark, DE, First Baptist Church of Malvern,  PA, Middletown Baptist of Media, PA, Belmont Baptist of Broomall, PA, and First Baptist Church of Holloway Terrace in Wilmington, DE.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Madelyn (nee Rebello) Avila, a son, Reuben Avila, M.D., of Memphis, TN, and two daughters, Deborah Avila of Exton, PA, and Elizabeth Sharpe of Simpsonville, SC.  He is the beloved grandfather of nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.  He was predeceased by a son, Paul Avila, in 1972.

Relatives and friends are invited to visitation hours on Thursday, March 15, 2012, after 7 p.m. at , 530 W. Woodland Ave., Springfield, PA.  His Memorial Service of Celebration will be held on Friday, March 16, 2012, at 11 a.m. at , 184 N. Norwinden Dr. in Springfield, PA. Friends can call after 9:30 a.m.

Interment will follow the service at Brandywine Baptist Church Cemetery in Chadds Ford. 

Donations in his memory may be made to Springfield Baptist Church Memorial Fund, Paul Avila Scholarship Fund.