Phillip Ellen, pastor of Chandler Mountain Baptist Church, Steele, died Jan. 10. He was 74.
Ellen graduated from Etowah High School and also attended Samford University in Birmingham where he played football under Coach Bobby Bowden.
Ellen served as pastor of Whites Chapel Baptist Church (now CrossPoint Community Church, Gadsden) for 40 years. Before stepping down as pastor there in 2005, the church’s attendance had grown from 100 to about 1,500.
He was founder of several ministries including Coosa Christian School and Whites Chapel’s bus ministry for area children.
He also took many missions trips to locations including Mexico, Albania, Ukraine, Russia and Honduras.
Ellen is survived by his wife of 54 years, Bobbie; four children; 12 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
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