AME'S MURRAY RETIRING LONGTIME LEADER STEPPING DOWN FROM PULPIT.

Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer

He's stood shoulder to shoulder with presidents and other world leaders and helped restore calm to Los Angeles following the 1992 riots.

He's organized neighborhood patrols to fight gangs, built housing projects for the poor and inspired those seeking spiritual guidance.

But for the Rev. Cecil L. ``Chip'' Murray, the crowning glory of 27 years as pastor of First AME Church will come Sunday.

There, after the 8 a.m. service, a plaque designating the area in front of the church as the Cecil L. Murray Circle will be unveiled as a tribute to a community and spiritual leader who says he always tried to put the needy before the powerful.

And at the 10 a.m. service, Murray will be giving his last sermon - his powerful baritone voice once again rumbling through the church he built, with the First AME choir backing him up as jazz riffs are played on the church organ.

``We have been blessed,'' Murray said Friday at City Hall, before he was honored during an hourlong tribute by Mayor James Hahn and the City Council.

``We have tried to be of service to those in need. We have tried to help the homeless. We have tried to end the violence.''

That the struggle on those issues continues is no deterrent to the work that must be done, Murray said.

``It is the challenges that keep us going,'' said Murray, 75.

Murray, a native of Florida who came to the ministry after serving 10 years in the U.S. Air Force, has emerged as one of the pre-eminent black political leaders in Los Angeles over the past three decades.

``Power hates a vacuum and Chip Murray was there to fill it when there was a void,'' said Kerman Mattox, who serves as political director for the city's oldest African-American church and has served as a consultant to several politicians.

``Chip Murray was unafraid to reach out where others were afraid and he was inclusive. That is where he gained his power.''

When Murray came to First African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1977, it had 300 members. It now has 17,300 members and includes housing, job training, schools and a variety of social service programs as part of its operations.

Mattox said he was part of a group of young black professionals whom Murray sought out to try to build the church.

``A lot of church leaders couldn't relate to younger people and refused to give them a role in the church's activities,'' Mattox said. ``Chip reached out and made sure we were involved.''

With the growth in membership came increasing influence.

Soon, visits to First AME became a required political stop for candidates.

Former President George H.W. Bush named him among his ``points of light.'' Former President Clinton, mired in the controversy over his affair with Monica Lewinsky, came to First AME to seek forgiveness and received Murray's blessing.

It was at First AME that Nelson Mandela made his first local appearance during his tour of the United States after being released from a South African prison.

And it was First AME that became the community's unofficial command post when riots erupted in the spring of 1992, following the acquittal of four white LAPD officers in the beating of African-American motorist Rodney King.

Responding to Murray's call for peace, more than 5,000 parishioners and community leaders gathered at First AME, where troops of volunteers organized to help rebuild riot-torn neighborhoods.

``I was one of a number of students at UCLA Law School who watched that on TV and came out to help clean up the city,'' Councilman Jack Weiss said.

``I didn't know who Chip Murray was at the time. I just saw this figure on television, telling us we had to work together, and we came out and helped clean up the city.''

The Rev. Leonard Jackson, assistant pastor at First AME the past 15 years, said Murray's willingness to listen and encourage people is one of his strengths.

``He was unafraid of taking on new issues. He has been brave in allowing people to get involved.''

But over the years, Murray also has been criticized by other ministers for some of his positions - such as in helping people afflicted with HIV and AIDS.

``When AIDS first became an issue, the black community didn't want to get involved,'' Mattox said. ``They saw it as a white, gay issue and didn't think it would affect them. Well, Chip Murray made them get involved, to see how important an issue it was.''

City Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa said it was for such efforts that Murray became ``the conscience of the city ... a lighthouse for those of us adrift at sea.''

And the mayor praised Murray as one of the city's ``angels.''

``You have been a great shepherd in our city and shown a humility that has been an example to all of us.''

Rick Orlov, [phone]

rick.orlov(at)dailynews.com

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Photo:

(color) The Rev. Cecil L. ``Chip'' Murray, pastor of First AME Church for 27 years, will deliver his last sermon Sunday.

Daily News file photo