Rev. Robert W. McMurray; Pastor of Greater Bethany Church

The Rev. Robert W. McMurray, 67, pastor of the 5,000-member Greater Bethany Community Church for more than three decades. A minister since 1948, McMurray had headed the apostolic Protestant church at 8406 S. Hoover Ave. since 1962. He made a practice of welcoming political candidates to speak in his church as a way of reaching residents of South-Central Los Angeles. With his Greater Bethany Economic Development Corp., he worked to develop affordable housing and small businesses in the neighborhood and to combat gang activity. On Saturday in Los Angeles after a short illness.