By:Joseph Kellard
Last Sunday, the late founding pastor of Christian Light Missionary Baptist Church Rev. Jesse J. Evans was honored with the dedication of Park Place in his name. Members of his congregation, the Long Beach City Council and other admirers of his turned out to celebrate the late pastor a year after his death.
Mass services were held before and after the ceremony that included the unveiling of the street sign that reads "Rev. Jesse J. Evans Boulevard." The street's official name will remain Park Place.
Opening the ceremony was newly appointed City Manager Ed Eaton. "Rev. Evans was one of the pillars and rocks of this community," he said.
Those in attendance then joined in a prayer given by Christian Light Associate Rev. Walter Davis. "We thank the city," he said, "because they did not turn down our request that this street be dedicated to Rev. Jesse J. Evans Boulevard."
During his speech, Deacon Cecil Garrett bestowed many accolades on Evans, noting that "he always fought for the spiritual brotherhood of our city." Garrett also read words that Evans himself spoke at one of his sermons.
One of Evans's daughter, Deaconess Gloria Menchan, spoke to the gathering, as well: "I am extremely happy of this recognition of my father for his 50 years of service to this community. He was noted for his humility, warmth and patience. He practiced what he preached and built bridges of love connected to all people. He was a man of strength and wisdom."
Nassau County Legislator Michael Zapson said, "A man's life is measured by his accomplishments. A man doesn't die when he's no longer with us. He dies when his memory dies. And having the street named after him will remind others of the accomplishments and good he has done for this community."
City Council member Ed Buscemi, a 67-year Long Beach resident, spoke about the significance of the honor bestowed upon the late Rev. Evans.
"I moved to Long Beach in 1934 and if I had said then that this street would be named after Rev. Jesse Evans, they'd put me in the hatchery. It's a testament to what we have here today. Remember his name and tell your children what he and you have done."
Evans's life came to an end last year on April 9. He was born in Eaton, Georgia, in 1912 and 19 years later moved to Island Park and worked for a bedding and upholstery business called Riteway Mattress Company. In 1943, he entered the US Army as a chaplain and two years later became a licensed minister of the Gospel, eventually receiving his bachelor's degree in theology from Scranton Bible Institute and a master's degree in ancient scripture from Hills Chapel Divinity School in Athens, Georgia. While he and his wife, Margaret, and their children lived in an army barrack in Jackson Heights, they traveled to Long Beach for mass at the First Baptist Church of Rev. J.E. Hall, where he became a deacon.
In 1950, Evans founded the Christian Light Missionary Baptist Church, which was officially recognized a year later. During its early years, the church held services in the old Long Beach City Hall. In 1952, a garage at 710 Riverside Boulevard was donated for the church, but a decade later it burned down. The current home of the church was opened at 620 Park Place in 1966.
During the 1970s, Evans oversaw the expansion of Christian Light with the dedication of the "Margaret Evans Community Center," in honor of his first wife who died in 1966. In addition to his work at Christian Light, he was also president of the New York State Baptist Convention and served as the moderator of Long Island Progressive Baptist Churches District Association and sat on the Board of Directors of the Martin Luther King Jr. Center in Long Beach, Long Beach Kiwanis Club, Long Beach Interracial Committee, Long Beach Citizens Advisory Committee, among other organizations.
The proposal for the dedication of Park Place in his name was originally presented by officials of Christian Light to past City Manager Bruce Nyman, explained Jessica Wilson, chairperson of the committee formed for this effort. This past February, these officials made this request to the city in a formal letter, after which Nyman met with them to discuss their proposal. Soon after, he told them to proceed with their planning of the ceremony.
"This is something we are very happy about," said Wilson. "We're very pleased that the city did this for us."
During the ceremony, Annie Townsend, a resident of Long Beach for four decades, reflected on Evans: "I knew the pastor since I first lived in this city. He was a dedicated, loving, caring person willing to extend his advice in a spiritual way. That's how I remember him most. So, I'm happy I was here today for the street dedication so I can tell my children and grandchildren that I was here to see it."
Lena Walker, a member of Christian Light for 25 of her 35 years in Long Beach, said, "Rev. Evans was my pastor and spiritual leader. He made me feel happy all the time. He was always there to shake your hand when you came into his church. And I can tell my children I was here today and know we'll keep his memory alive just by looking at the sign here. Thank God."
"He was a great leader and great teacher," added Dewitt Jones, a 31-year resident of Long Beach. "The thing that he said that always stayed with me was, 'The worst Christian is better than the best sinner.' Now, when I pass by this block and see his name, I'll be reminded of what a great man he was."
