By Dawn Scotland
The Truth Reporter
Bishop Robert A. Culp celebrated his 90th birthday in style among family, friends, church members and area leaders Sunday, October 27 at the Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavillion. The bishop pastored First Church of God from 1961 until retiring in 2023.
The event featured speakers Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur; Romules Durant, EdD, superintendent of Toledo Public Schools; Ohio State Senator Paula Hicks-Hudson; former Toledo Mayor Carty Finkbeiner; area ministers and community leaders. Tributes continued throughout the evening for the esteemed pastor and leader.
“You have set a high standard for ethics, the work you did to establish a school in the heart of the city tells us who you are… housing schools, your own faith service to the people of this community- never refusing people in the church from all denominations and walks of life…You and your family -you’re just astounding. God bless you. Happy birthday,” remarked Kaptur.
Culp was born on October 25,1934 in Sharon, Pennsylvania. He served as a youth pastor in his hometown before heading to Anderson, Indiana to attend college. Culp graduated in 1957 with a Bachelor of Arts in Bible and history, and in 1961 with a Master of Divinity both from Anderson University. Culp served as pastor of the Williams Street Church of God in Danville, Illinois before coming to Toledo.
After graduating from seminary in 1961, Bishop Culp was called to First Church of God in Toledo, Ohio where he served as lead pastor for 62 years, retiring in 2023.
During his years in Toledo, he has established the Christian School, the FACTS and FORWARD programs for substance abuse and the Four Corners Project to serve youth and children. Nationally his influence has been far-reaching as several “spiritual sons” pastor churches from Pasadena, CA, to Brooklyn, NY. He was consecrated a bishop in 2014.
In the Toledo greater community, Culp has held numerous offices and leadership positions, including: president of the Toledo Chapter of the NAACP, president of Covenant Development Corporation, founder and board chairman of Toledo Academy Charter School, founder and board member of Family House homeless shelter, founder of Sparrow’s Nest operated by the Cherry Street Mission Ministries and a founding member of the Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union.
He is currently a member of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and Civilian Review Board, the Lucas County Fatherhood Committee, the Hope for Toledo Board and he is co-chairperson of the Toledo Community Coalition.
Culp has been married to Maggie Culp for over 65 years ago. Together they have raised four children.
Culp has received immeasurable accolades and awards throughout the years including an honorary Doctor of Divinity from his alma mater Anderson University in 1989.
Happy 90th Birthday Bishop Culp!
