Great Rev. Canon Nelson Wardell Pinder
Clear Lake Cove - Rev. Canon Nelson Wardell Pinder was more than a priest, he was a civil rights champion, community builder, and steady moral voice in Orlando for more than half a century. Known as “The Street Priest of Orlando,” he lived what he preached, walking the communities of West Lakes, Parramore, and beyond with compassion, conviction, and strength.
In the Episcopal Church, priests are traditionally called Father and in the case of Rev. Pinder, the title couldn’t have been more fitting. Father Pinder wasn’t just a spiritual guide at the pulpit, he was a father figure to an entire city. Through his presence, care, and relentless service, he helped raise generations of neighbors in both faith and purpose.
Born in Miami, Rev. Pinder graduated from Bethune-Cookman College after serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He then went on to Nashotah House Seminary in Wisconsin. The Episcopal Church ordained him in 1960, and he continued his education, earning a graduate degree from Florida A&M University in 1974. Bethune-Cookman later awarded him an honorary doctorate of Divinity in 1976. Over the years, he also shared his wisdom in classrooms, teaching at Bethune-Cookman, Rollins College, and Stetson University.
In 1959, Father Pinder arrived in Orlando and took up his lifelong ministry at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church in Parramore. Over the next six decades, he served as rector of the church and was named a canon in the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida. He led efforts to end segregation both in society and within the church, consistently pursuing equality, inclusion, and healing for the people of Orlando.
He worked closely with city leaders, including Mayor Bob Carr, to push for peaceful racial integration in Orlando, a strategy that helped the city avoid the unrest that gripped other parts of Florida during the Civil Rights Movement. He was a founding member of the mayor’s Biracial Commission, where he advocated for desegregation and equal employment opportunities for Black residents.
But his fight for justice wasn’t confined to boardrooms or backrooms. He organized student sit-ins at segregated lunch counters and theaters, including the historic Beacham Theatre. He empowered young people, especially Jones High School students to take peaceful action and speak out. He also made sure his own children, Nelson Jr. and Gail, grew up witnessing and understanding the importance of speaking truth to power, serving others, and walking in faith.
For over 60 years, Father Pinder lived in the Clear Lake Cove neighborhood, where he was not just a resident but a cornerstone. It’s no coincidence that the street bearing his name, Nelson Pinder Circle, stands right in the heart of that community. "That neighborhood was part of his ministry," his granddaughter Crystal Priester shared. “He loved the people. He walked those streets daily, listening, praying, and helping.”
He often said, “I don’t care if you’re Black, white, pink, or stink, I’m going to help you.” That quote, both humorous and disarming, perfectly captured his radical compassion.
His wife, Maryanne Pinder, a beloved Ridgewood Elementary teacher, was his greatest partner in life and ministry. “She was his calm,” Crystal said. “They were a true team.”
Father Pinder served on numerous boards and advisory councils and was honored with countless awards throughout his life. In 2010, the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida recognized his 50 years of service, a testament to his unwavering faith and community commitment. He was an honorary member of 100 Black Men of Greater Orlando as well as a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
His influence is etched into the fabric of Orlando, from the downtown monument commemorating the sit-ins he helped lead, to his image on a mural at the CityView Apartments, to the stories passed down through generations. He also served as an honorary police chief and was a Grand Marshal of the city’s Martin Luther King Parade.
“His legacy is deeper than a street name or a statue,” Crystal said. “It lives on in the people he helped through their jobs, their homes, their families, their faith.”
Rev. Pinder passed away on July 10, 2022.
