Bethel A.M.E.'s first pastor was honored earlier this year when Center Street was renamed 'Bishop Nazery Way.'
Center Street earlier this was changed to Bishop Nazery Way, in honor of Willis Nazery, Bethel A.M.E.'s first pastor. Now, on Dec. 16, Nazery also will get the marker to cement his place in Morristown and Morris County's history books. The dedication of the Bishop Willis Nazery historical marker, organized by Bethel A.M.E. and the Morris County Heritage Commission is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the church, 59 Spring St. Bethel's current pastor, Sidney Williams, first came to the town in June seeking a name change for Center Street to Bishop Nazery Way, after his church's first pastor. Nazery had been born a slave in 1803 but during his life accomplished much, including his pastorship here in 1845, his ordainment as a Bishop in New York in 1852…
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Bethel A.M.E. Church
59 Spring St, Morristown, NJ
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"Bishop Nazrey Way" would honor first Bethel AME pastor, Underground Railroad icon.
What's in a name? For the congregants of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, a whole lot. The Morristown church and its pastor, Sidney Williams, are hoping Town Council agrees. On Tuesday, June 26, Williams formally requested Town Council consider renaming Center Street after Willis Nazrey, the first pastor for the church. If approved, it would become known as "Bishop Nazrey Way." Born a slave in 1803 in Virginia, Nazrey served as Bethel AME's first pastor in 1845. It also was the first church of African-American descent in Morris County. In 1852, Nazrey was ordained as a Bishop in New York. In response to the 1850 passage of the Fugitive Slave Act–which required fugitive slaves be returned to their masters–he was sent to Ontario, …
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-74.479465
Bethel A.M.E. Church
59 Spring St, Morristown, NJ
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67090
/locations/7359536
Sabine von Aulock
9:54 am on Tuesday, July 3, 2012
yes, this would be a highlight for the African American community but it would also be a highlight for the many of us who identify as Allies for Racial Equality. more ›