Last week we ran a great story about the historic 185th anniversary of Twelfth Baptist Church. With a legacy as deep and rich as Twelfth Baptist Church it was hard to fit it all in one article. So we just want to add a few more words to honor two prior pastors who gave so much to bless their congregation and our greater Boston community at large.
First and foremost we wanted to mention more about Rev. Dr. Haynes who started his service at the church in1951 as the Youth Minister. He eventually rose to become an Associate Minister. In 1964, Rev. Haynes was installed as the Senior Minister and led the congregation until retirement in 2004.
Rev. Willie Bodrick, II said of Rev. Dr. Haynes “During Rev. Dr. Haynes’ 40-year tenure, Haynes was a visionary statesman, pastor and civic leader who bridged the pulpit and policy, serving as both State Representative and prophetic voice for justice. Under his leadership, the church became a center for urban ministry, education, housing advocacy, and social action. Rev. Haynes’ influence reached across Boston’s political and moral landscape, shaping generations of clergy and civic leaders.”
The second devoted pastor we wanted to share a few more words about is Rev. Dr. Arthur T. Gerald, Jr. who was honored the night of the anniversary with the renaming of Twelfth Baptist Church Outreach Center in his honor.
“Rev. Dr. Arthur T. Gerald, Jr. worked to strengthen the church’s neighborhood presence through mentorship programs, food and clothing ministries, youth development and partnerships with local schools and nonprofits,” said current pastor Rev. Willie Bodrick, II. He continued his praise by adding, “He championed a theology of action — that the Gospel must not only be preached from the pulpit but embodied in the streets of Roxbury and beyond. Under his guidance, Twelfth Baptist deepened its ties with civic and interfaith partners and sustained the church’s identity as a — beacon of hope — amid the changing dynamics of urban Boston.”
Note: In last week’s paper we misidentified Rev. Jeffrey Brown of the Twelfth Baptist Church in the photograph on the front page. We also misspelled the name of Rev. Dr. Michael E. Haynes. We have made corrections to the online story and are sorry for the error.
