W. Alexander, Church of God in Christ Bishop, Dies

SANTA ANA —  Bishop Wilford Allen Alexander, believed to be Orange County’s longest-serving black clergyman, died of a heart attack at his Santa Ana home Wednesday. He was 77.

Alexander served as pastor of the Gospel Light Church of God in Christ for 27 years.

Described by family, parishioners and fellow clergymen as a humble man dedicated to his ministry, Alexander was the county’s highest-ranking official of the Church of God in Christ, which has 4 million members worldwide.

“He was a great soul, one of the best ministers in the area, “ said the Rev. James Carrington, pastor of Friendship Baptist Church in Yorba Linda. “He was one of the God-sent men . . . a very humble man.”

The youngest of 11 children, Alexander was born May 5, 1914, in the rural Texas town of Jacksonville. He helped establish eight churches throughout Texas under the late Bishop E.M. Page before moving to Orange County in May, 1964, to take over Gospel Light Church of God in Christ. Under Alexander’s leadership, the church’s congregation grew from fewer than 20 followers to more than 250.

Alexander was also active in the Orange County chapter of the National Assn. for the Advancement of Colored People, which in February awarded him the 1991 Citizens of Distinction Award, and the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance.

“He was deeply involved in civic life and community life in Santa Ana,” said Charles E. Blake, bishop of the church’s Southern California Jurisdiction No. 1, which includes Gospel Light. “He was beloved in his denomination.”

Although he lived in Santa Ana, Alexander presided as bishop over Montana, where he had recently helped purchase a church building, Blake said. Alexander was one of the 4-million-member denomination’s 120 bishops worldwide and the only one in Orange County.

Alexander is survived by his wife of 55 years, Bernice, and a sister, Doris Gibson of Hartford, Conn.

Funeral services will be held on June 7 at a location to be decided.