Rev. William E. “Bill” Briggs

The Rev. William E. (Bill) Briggs, 86, of Zanesville went to his eternal home on Sunday July 16, 2017 at Genesis Hospice Morrison House. Throughout his life and ministry, Bill was highly respected and much beloved by both those of considerable means and by those of very limited means.

Bill was born on March 21, 1931 to Harold B. and Helen (Darr) Briggs in Pittsburgh, PA. He attended Kenyon College and graduated from Waynesburg (PA) College (now Waynesburg University). In 1957 he received his M.Div. degree from Western Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh. His first pastorate was with the Lemington Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, from 1956 to 1958. From there he served as Associate Pastor of the Calvary Presbyterian Church in Canton, Ohio, from 1958 until 1966. Feeling the call to work more directly with the poor, he accepted the call  of Wooster Presbytery of the United Presbyterian Church and became Director of the Northeast Inner-City Mission in Canton.

As a “street minister”, Bill worked with others to minister to those on Canton’s eastside, connecting them to the services and resources they needed. He became part of the founding board of Canton’s FISH, a program organized by both Protestant and Catholic laymen and women to respond to people’s basic needs. Originating in England, FISH was conceived to combine ecumenical dialog with practical Christian action. Racial tensions were high in the late 1960’s and Bill became part of the mayor’s “Operation Positive”, a youth recreation program as well as training for low-income unemployed adults. As a consequence, Canton was spared the riots experienced in other larger cities in Ohio.

He also worked with others to develop the Northeast Community organization and C.H.I.P. (Community Housing Improvement Program,Inc.), a non-profit corporation which renovated individual houses and constructed 77 units of housing for moderate-income families.

In 1969, Bill felt it wise to relinquish his position to Black leadership, so accepted a call to serve as Minister to the Community of Central Presbyterian Church, PC(USA) in Zanesville, with primary responsibilities in the community. His particular focus was with the Presbyterian Neighborhood Center (known by locals as “The Club”) on Stilwell Street. His mandate by the Church Session and Muskingum Valley Presbytery was to expand the services of the Center, beyond programming for children and youth. Over his 10 year tenure there the board became more ecumenical in representation and a variety of programs were developed to meet the needs of adults and families. “Eastside Community Ministries” was the name given to this new, expanded ministry.

Over the years, Bill was struck by the spirit of hopelessness that seemed to characterize those who came to the Eastside office with requests for food, clothing, financial assistance, or simply moral support. He visualized a worshipping community, where the poor and those with overwhelming needs could support one another and receive the good news of Jesus Christ. So, in 1979, he resigned as Eastside’s Director and became the founding pastor of the Fellowship of Christ’s Community. The format was simple: a Sunday evening informal worship service, a sharing of life together and gradually a potluck supper. Because there was no available money for this new ministry, Bill took a job as a caseworker at Children’s Services and later at Starlight Workshop.

In 1988, Bill left his employment at Starlight Workshop to acept a call as pastor to the Presbyterian churches in Rix Mills and Cumberland, while continuing the Fellowship ministry. In 1993, he resigned as Fellowship pastor and in 1995, became honorably retired.

Over the years, Bill has served on the Boards of C.O.R.A. (Commission on Religion in Appalachia), C.A.M. (Coalition for Appalachian Ministry), the S.E. Area Transit Board, and the Zanesville Housing Development Corporation. He volunteered at McKinley Elementary School in the library and as reading tutor. Bill often served as a mentor and “encourager” of new, young pastors and met for some time with a small group of commissioned lay pastors. He offered grief counseling at Starlight Workshop and participated in a ministry of visitation to those in prison.

Bill has been honored in the Zanesville community by the Sertoma Club, the Heart of Ohio Girl Scouts, the Daybreak Rotary Club and the Community Action Agency.  Perhaps his greatest tribute came from those over the years who told his family that of all the people they knew, Bill was the person most like Jesus.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, and infant twin sons.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Dorothy L. “Dottie” Briggs. His children Stephen B. Briggs (Marti) of Uniontown, Amy H. Parker (Al) of Blue Rock and David A. Briggs of the home. He is also survived by grandchildren Jeremy S. (Missy) Briggs, Laura M. (Stephen) Craig, Abraham A. (Sarah) Parker, Joseph W. (Nicole) Parker, Anna J. (Adam) Schmitz and Grace M. Parker and by great-grandchildren Elizabeth Ann, Abigail Jean and Catherine Michelle Briggs. His brother Rev. Keith Darr (Carole) Briggs of Brookville, PA, nephews Andrew H. (Claudia) Briggs,Sr. and John A. (Karen) Briggs and niece Gretchen Briggs (David) Dinger, great nieces and nephews and beloved cousins.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be sent to the Fellowship of Christ’s Community, 40 North Sixth Street, Zanesville, Ohio 43701 or to Brighton Presbyterian Church, 771 Lexington Ave., Zanesville, Ohio 43701.

Calling hours will be held from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. Thur. July 20, 2017 at WILLIAM THOMPSON  & SON FUNERAL HOME 5765 Gladstone Drive White Cottage and one hour prior to the service which will be held at 11:00 a.m. Fri. July 21, 2017 at Central Presbyterian Church with Rev. Suellen Skinner officiating Bill’s Celebration of Life Service with the Zanesville Presbyterian Parish. Burial will be in Zanesville Memorial Park.