Reverend Ellis B. Louden was born in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to the late Barnell and Clarabelle Ellis Louden. Educated in the Philadelphia Public School System, he received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Wilberforce University in Wilberforce, Ohio and a Master of Divinity Degree from Boston University School of Theology at Boston, Massachusetts. Rev. Louden was called to the ministry during the pastorate of the late Reverend Eustace L Blake at Jones Tabernacle African Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia.
It is notable that Ellis enjoyed music in all its forms. During his elementary school years, he sang in the Philadelphia Boys Choir. In high school he sang in the Benjamin Franklin High School Choir and the All City (Philadelphia) High School Choir and Opera Workshop. At Wilberforce was a member of the Wilberforce University Choir and in seminary a member of the Boston University Seminary Singers. Of course, he enjoyed his tenure in singing at Jones Tabernacle in the Youth Choir, the Philadelphia (AME) Youth Conference Choir and finally the Jones Tabernacle Senior Choir. At times, he directed special choral music at Mount Zion, Dover and sang with the Delaware State University Choir and Union Associates on special occasions.
Rev. Louden served as an Associate at the St. Paul AME Church, Cambridge, Massachusetts when the Rt. Rev. John R. Bryant, 108th elected and consecrated Bishop (Retired) was pastor. He also served as Assistant Chaplain at Marsh Chapel, Boston University, when the Reverend Floyd H. Flake served as interim chaplain for the Chapel. He pastured Bethel AME Church Lynn, Massachusetts, and Bethel AME Church Bridgeport, Connecticut. While in Bridgeport, he led the congregation in the purchase of a parsonage at 25 Grey Rock Road and the church edifice at 110 Grove Street. He served the community in several capacities, including being the first African American appointed to the Civil Service Commission of the city. However, his most enjoyable serve was as president of the Ministerial Alliance of Bridgeport and Vicinity.
https://www.thedoverdistrict.org/pe-louden
