Biographical Sketch

The Reverend William Allan Dean, ThD

William Allan Dean was born in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, in 1897. He attended the Harry Hillman Academy for Boys, a private institution dedicated to preparing boys for a college education. He graduated in 1918 from Penn State College with a Bachelor of Science degree. His first job was instructor of English and Chemistry at Pennsylvania Military College in Chester, PA.

In 1919, the Lord led him to enroll in the Philadelphia School of the Bible. He was also called that year to be part time Pastor at the recently founded Aldan Union Church. Upon graduating from Philadelphia School of the Bible in 1921, he accepted the position of full time Pastor. In 1926 he married Lydia Wright and together they raised four children.

William Allan Dean served as Pastor for 48 years, while also: teaching the Men's Bible Class, and various area Bible classes; serving on the Board of Directors and as member of the faculty at Philadelphia College of the Bible for 37 years; and engaging in speaking roles at a number of Bible Conferences. He served on a number of mission boards, where his leadership and judgment were greatly respected. In addition he was instrumental in founding the Unevangelized Fields Mission. William Allan Dean was one of the Consulting and Contributing Editors to the Pilgrim Edition of the King James Bible (Oxford University Press). He was awarded the Doctor of Divinity degree from Kings College.

Dr. Dean's ministry was characterized by his faithful preaching and teaching of the Bible as God's Inspired Word, and by his consistent exaltation of Jesus Christ as the Son of God: the sinner's all-sufficient Savior; the coming great King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Dr. Dean consistently challenged his flock to walk in holiness before God in their daily lives.

He retired from the Pastorate in 1967, serving as Pastor Emeritus until the Lord called him home in 1974.

The sermons presented here were recorded as an outreach for those congregants who were unable to attend regular services. They are “live” recordings of the sermons delivered at the Aldan Union Church services during the latter portion of Dr. Dean's tenure. The original media are 1/4” open reel tapes recorded on “portable” tape recorders of the 1950s and 1960s.