Whereas, Born in Sylvania, Georgia in 1936, Robert James Lovett, Sr. first served honorably in the United States Air Force before becoming a minister after attending Colgate Rochester Divinity School in Rochester, New York and later completing coursework at the Graduate School of Social Work at Bryn Mawr College; and
Whereas, In October 1971, Reverend Lovett became pastor of Philadelphia’s Wayland Temple Baptist Church and served his congregation for 45 years until his retirement in 2016; and
Whereas, During his tenure at Wayland Temple Baptist Church, Reverend Lovett worked to establish a ministry that emphasized spreading the gospel both within the church and without, thereby creating the inclusive and welcoming spiritual community that Wayland Temple is today with an emphasis on encouraging the youth and those who traditionally may not feel welcomed in church settings; and
Whereas, Reverend Lovett oversaw the creation of a host of missions and community outreach programs still in existence today including a youth summer camp, after-school tutoring, adult literacy classes, a weekly food pantry and clothing distribution program, a social work outreach referral agency, Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring, substance abuse support groups, as well opening the Church as a public meeting space for the community generally, with active ministries in the areas of Foreign Mission, Evangelism, Christian Education Stewardship, Home Missions and Music; and
Whereas, Reverend Lovett was a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, served as grand chaplain of the Benevolent Protective Order of the Elks of the World, Executive Committee of the Foreign Mission Board, was a former president of the Pennsylvania Baptist State Convention, and a former moderator of Keystone Baptist Association; and
Whereas, Through a ministry that centered on four tenets of Worship, Witness, Education and Service, Reverend Lovett set both a personal and ministerial example of devout spirituality, humility, love and compassion that will not soon be forgotten; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That the 1600 block of North 25th Street from Cecil B. Moore Avenue to West Oxford Street, also be named “Rev. Robert J. Lovett, Sr. Way” to honor the life and ministry of Reverend Robert J. Lovett, Sr. and his special impact on the North Philadelphia Community.
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