WESTWOOD—The mayor and council were delighted to present a proclamation to Lebanon Baptist Church at their meeting, held over Zoom, on May 19:
WHEREAS, Lebanon Baptist Church, a respected member of the religious community in Westwood, New Jersey, in northern Bergen County, will be celebrating its Sixty-fourth Anniversary; and
WHEREAS, on Sunday, May 16th a celebratory Mass [was] held in commemoration thereof; and
WHEREAS, Lebanon Baptist Church has provided religious nurture and education for all within its charge and extended its humanitarian concern and compassion into the community; and
WHEREAS, throughout its long history, Lebanon Baptist Church has been guided by esteemed and faithful leaders; and
WHEREAS, the completion of sixty-four years of tireless service to its congregation and community speaks to the steadfast devotion of many dedicated people, both religious and lay, who exemplify the teachings of the Lord.
Borough of Westwood
The proclamation was attested by Mayor Ray Arroyo and praised by the council.
Pascack Press was on hand in August 2017 when the borough similarly recognized Lebanon Baptist Church at its 60th anniversary, at a packed Borough Hall.
That month, we said, “There is murder and mayhem in Charlottesville, Va. and roiling discontent nationwide.”
The Rev. JerQuentin Sutton, speaking at Borough Hall, said, “My stance is peace. My stance is embracing no hatred, because you can kill hatred with love and peace, and that brings solidarity,” Sutton said. “Our goal is hope – that one day we will all walk hand in hand and work together as one.”
The next day Sutton would help lead the proceedings at an interfaith peace vigil at Veterans Memorial Park that would draw hundreds—votive candles in their hands and music soaring free.
In a borough known for its high values and sense of neighborliness, it is fitting, we said, that, as their proclamation read, Lebanon Baptist Church is recognized “for its vital contributions to the spiritual and physical needs of the Borough of Westwood as the church continues to grow and prosper.”
Lebanon Baptist Church was officially organized on April 14, 1957, by a small group of Baptist believers who purchased two lots on High Street and were guided by the Rev. B. F. Napier, who led a special service dedicating the property to the Lord and ordaining the church’s first deacon, Bertis Blanks.
The building of the new church was completed through the help of many area pastors and ministers on Nov. 3, 1968, the dedication of which began the Rev. B.F. Napier and his wife’s faithful leadership of the congregation as pastor for the next 19 years.
During the leadership of the second pastor of Lebanon Baptist Church, the Rev. Clyde T. Crooms, the Christian Education Department was solidified and the groundwork for the Lebanon Baptist Church bylaws was set. The church celebrated the burning of its mortgage in November 1978.
On Oct. 6, 1990, the Rev. Franklin L. Garner was called to serve as the third pastor of the church, during which time the Lebanon Baptist Church Inspirational Choir and the Lebanon Youth Dance Ministry were founded, after which the Rev. Earlie J. Gresham was called to serve as the fourth pastor of Lebanon Baptist Church in 1996.
The Rev. Michael C. Burton was appointed as the fifth pastor of the church in 2000, who added to its proliferation in many ways, including the purchase of a church van, an upgrade to the sound system, the dedication of the Baptismal pool, the formation of the Lebanon Community Development Corporation, the launching of the Tyron D. Franklin Computer Literacy Center and a substantial growth in membership and operating budget.
Sutton, joined by his wife Diane and children Isabella and Spencer, began his service as the church’s most recent pastor on Nov. 20, 2011, organizing a Summer Character Building Arts Program launched by Lebanon’s Community Development Corporation, and ordaining the church’s first minister, Reverend Belinda A. Howard, on April 27, 2014.
“We’re just excited. We’re just thrilled,” Sutton told Pascack Press of the 60th anniversary.