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The Reverend Doctor Walter L. Parrish III was born on July 23, 1959, in Lynchburg, Virginia. He is the eldest of three children born to the Reverend Doctor Walter L. Parrish, II and Mary William Randolph Parrish. Rev. Parrish spent his formative years as a “PK” (preacher’s kid) in Lynchburg, Baltimore and Columbia, MD. In 1977, he graduated from Baltimore’s Polytechnic Institute and headed to Atlanta, Georgia to attend Morehouse College, where he earned the Bachelor of Science degree in 1981. While at Morehouse, Rev. Parrish distinguished himself as President of the internationally renowned Morehouse College Glee Club. Upon graduation from Morehouse, Rev. Parrish was employed as a computer analyst at Southern Bell. He also worshipped and served at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church and was licensed to preach there. Rev. Parrish left Atlanta to further his training for ministry at Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York, where he served as co-chair of the Student Senate. Rev. Parrish was also active in anti-apartheid organizing and protest. In 1987, he was awarded the Master of Divinity degree. During his time at Union, Rev. Parrish was called to serve as Pastor of the Devoe Street (formerly the First Italian) Baptist Church in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, New York. Rev. Parrish was the first African American to serve in that capacity. In 1988, he was ordained at Devoe Street by the American Baptist Churches of Metropolitan New York. Rev. Parrish’s leadership at Devoe Street was characterized by a commitment to revitalization in the community. He was instrumental in forming the church’s first Gospel Choir. He was also elected to the local school board.
Following his tenure at Devoe Street, Rev. Parrish joined the staff of the Ministers and Missionaries Benefit Board (MMBB) of the American Baptist Churches, a national church body. From 1990–2002, Rev. Parrish served MMBB in a number of capacities: as Retirement Services Officer, Director of Field Services, Representative-at-large, and Associate Executive Director.
On November 27, 1993, Rev. Parrish married the Reverend Felicia Y. Thomas in James Chapel at their alma mater, Union Theological Seminary. Their wedding was featured in the Styles section of the New York Times. To their loving union, two sons were born: Jonathan Randolph Parrish (1995) and Joseph Thomas Parrish (1997).
One cold December Sunday in 2002, Rev. Parrish traveled with his family to act as a supply preacher at a historic church in Montclair, New Jersey – the Union Baptist Church. Three months later he accepted the position of Interim Pastor at Union. By then a spiritual love affair had taken root and the disciples of Union petitioned to extend a permanent call. On May 21, 2003, Rev. Parrish was elected to serve at the eighth Pastor of Union Baptist Church.
The past four years under Pastor Parrish’s leadership have been full of growth, restoration and change. Through preaching and teaching, Rev. Parrish has led the people of Union to embrace a ministry that is intentional about lifting up the name of Jesus and empowering people to lead changed lives. Through Rev. Parrish’s leadership, Union Baptist Church has:
 Undergone renovations to the sanctuary and improvements to the church facilities;
Ordained the first women deacons and ministers in the church’s history;
Revitalized countless ministries and licensed a number of new ministers to preach the gospel;
Strengthened its emphasis on evangelism and outreach, through partnerships with First Congregational Church, Real House, Isaiah House, and the Angel Tree Network;
Expanded Christian education opportunities at the church;
Invigorated the spiritual growth of the congregation through the practice of prayer, fasting, hospitality, healing, and discernment.
With Rev. Parrish’s guidance and encouragement, Union Baptist Church is expanding its witness to the surrounding community.
Rev. Parrish has received numerous awards and honors for his intellectual contribution and his community service. In 2004, he was awarded the Doctor of Divinity Degree from Virginia University at Lynchburg for his tireless efforts to make retirement, death, and disability benefits available to ministers and paid church staff in historically black congregations. In 2006, Rev. Parrish was honored by the New Jersey Mental Health Association for his work to promote mental health and emotional well being through spiritual communities. He is active in a number of religious and community organizations, serving as vice-president of the New Jersey Convention of Progressive Baptists and as an officer of the Montclair African American Clergy Association.
In his spare time, Rev. Parrish is an avid tennis player and golfer. He also throws a mean “hook” at the bowling alley. He reads widely and voraciously and loves crossword puzzles. He enjoys coaching and supporting Jonathan and Joseph’s sports teams. He makes excellent fried catfish and chicken. Often, Rev. Parrish can be seen riding the streets of Bloomfield and Montclair on his motorcycle. Rev. Parrish is a devoted husband, father, son, brother, uncle, cousin and a loyal friend. And beyond all this, he is a man who loves the Lord and who is committed to serve this present age with all his “passion and prayer and muscle and intelligence.”
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