Epsilon Phi Chapter

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Rev. Edgar A. Love,

Eminent Churchman

(1891-1974)

Reprinted from the ORACLE December 1936

Rev. Edgar A. Love, one of the Founders of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, the son of the late Rev. Julius C. Love and Mrs. Susie C. Love, was born in Harrisburg, Virginia, September 10, 1891.

He received his early training in the public schools of Virginia and Maryland. In 1909 he graduated from the Academy of Morgan College. In 1913, he graduated from Howard University with the honor Cum Laude and the degree of Bachelor of Arts. In 1916 after three years of additional hard work, he received from Howard University the degree of Bachelor of Divinity. To intensify his training further, he entered Boston University, from which he received in 1918 the degree of Bachelor of Sacred Theology. Later he spent two sessions in graduate work at the University of Chicago. Because of his distinguished work in religion as a teacher, pastor and inspired civic worker for the advancement of all humanity, in June, 1935 Morgan College conferred upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity.

Pastorates

Rev. Love pastored for fifteen months at Fairmount, Maryland, for four years at Washington, D.C., for three years at Annapolis, Maryland, for three years at Wheeling, West Virginia, and for two years at Baltimore, Maryland, directing the great John Wesley M.E. Church. As a pastor, Rev. Love, inspiring and efficient, made the Church, wherever he was, function as a community center for the people of the neighborhood, as well as a temple of worship for the Most High God.

Army Chaplain

When the call of the United States came for our youth to do service in France, our Founder promptly entered the Officers' Training Camp at Des Moines, Iowa and was commissioned as a First Lieutenant. He was assigned as Chaplain to the 368 Infantry, with which unit he saw service in the Vosges Mountains, and in the Argonne Forest, spending eight days in that great offensive, where he was gassed. While in the army he had supervision over 3,000 men.

Aside from administering to the spirtual needs of the soldiers, he also taught in the army school. He helped to organize a school for illiterates in the 809th Pioneer Infantry, which was developed into a regular school system. The school included in its curriculum subjects

ranging from reading and writing to motor mechanics and philosophy. Fourteen teachers were drafted from the ranks and constituted the Faculty.

Morgan College Professor

In 1919, after being honorably discharged from the service of the United States Army, Rev. Love became Professor of History and Bible at Morgan College. At the same time he served as Director of Athletics. Here he also served as Principal of the Academy.

Civic Activities

As Rev. Love is community minded believing that religion is life in God and should be the guiding force in all affairs, he has always found time from his religious duties to be active in civic matters. For instance, he was a delegate from the state of Maryland to the First American Legion Convention that was held at Minneapolis, Minnesota. Because of his high attainments, he was appointed by Governor Ritchie of Maryland as a Member of the Maryland Interracial Commission.

Rev. Love is also a thirty-second degree Mason. Besides, he was the first Grand Basileus of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and served in that capacity for three terms.

Present Duties

At present, he is President of the Alumni Association of the School of Religion of Howard University, President of the Inter-denominational Ministers Alliance of Washington, D.C., and District Superintendent of the Washington District for the Methodist Episcopal Church. This last position he has held three years.

A Unique Career

Accordingly, as Founder of our great Fraternity, as a Soldier, an Educator, and a Minister, Rev. Love has had an unusual career and has endeared himself into the hearts of many thousands.