Bishop William M. Philpot, Sr.

Bishop William M. Philpot was a prominent minister and civil rights activist in New Haven, Connecticut.

Born in Philadelphia, Bishop Philpot attended Lincoln University and Yale Divinity School. Settling in New Haven, he founded Christ Chapel New Testament Church.

Alongside his family, he was also involved with the Civil Rights Movement in Connecticut, including helping in the fights against restrictive housing covenants and segregated swimming places.

Of his 1964 "Wade-In" at Andover Lake, which was in opposition to the lake association's historic restrictions against Black and Jewish swimmers, Philpot wrote in 2000:

"The 'Wade-in' we experienced at Andover Lake marked the turning point of my life as well as my ministry, for we waded in the water as victims of prejudice and segregation. We came out of the water as victors, with confidence that our cause and crusade were right; and that we would be vindicated in the end. And so it was. For we did overcome.”

Sources

• "Andover Lake: A Lesson in Social Change." ConnecticutHistory.org, published 29 February 2020. < link > Accessed 21 August 2021.
• Ritter, Matt. "The Long Fight Against Housing Discrimination." Connecticut House Democrats, published 29 July 2021. < link > Accessed 21 August 2021.
• "William M. Philpot." The New Haven Register via Legacy.com, published 2 August 2017. < link > Accessed 21 August 2021.
• Woodward, Walter. "July 29: A Determined Minister's Swim for Justice." Today in Connecticut History, published 29 July 2021. < link > Accessed 21 August 2021.