Church’s dream bodes well for Binghampton
http://tri-statedefenderonline.com/articlelive/articles/4110/1/Churchs-dream-bodes-well-for-Binghampton/Page1.html
By Florence M. Howard
Published on 09/3/2009
Rev. Keith Norman is a happy man. The senior pastor of First Baptist Church - Broad (2835 Broad Ave.) is closer to his dream of a revitalized Binghampton community where the church was birthed 114 years ago.
At the demolition of Lester High School, a 56-year-old building at 580 Lester, Norman greeted dignitaries, city employees, church members and friends attending the Aug. 20 press conference saying, “Welcome to the proud city of Binghampton.”
And he declared himself the Mayor of Binghampton.
Among others speaking at the demolition were Mayor Pro Tem Myron Lowery, County Mayor A C Wharton Jr., Councilwoman Janis Fullilove, HCD/MHA Director Robert Lipscomb, HCD Deputy Director Beverly Goines and Gail Bankston of the Memphis office of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Pastor of Binghampton’s First Baptist Church since 1999, Norman is spearheading revitalization in the area and the church’s purchase of the Lester School complex, a 50,000 sq. ft. three-building site that has come to be known informally as Hope Village and more formally as the H.O.P.E. Zone (Haven of Perfective Empowerment).
The old high school, built in 1952, was demolished using federal funding made available through the City of Memphis. Norman, a South Memphis native, called the collaboration to demolish the abandoned school building, “the best effort of faith-based partnership with government.”
The complex, located on Broad diagonally across from the church, included the 580 Lester building as well as the newer but also abandoned Lester School at 575 Carpenter, now gutted, and a one-story auxiliary classroom building at 2900 Broad at Carpenter. First Baptist renovated the one-story building in 2005 to provide apartments for Hurricane Katrina victims and now uses it as an office building and meeting place for anger management classes.
Plans for the demolition site include a Christian school and workforce development center. Lowery said the project will provide citizens with a means of empowering themselves and that he wishes more churches would get involved in community revitalization.
Invoking the image of a phoenix rising from the ashes, Lowery said, “Removing this structure can not only help contribute to change in this community but its remnants can serve as a valuable community outreach amenity for its residents.”
Wharton, saying he used to rent a room on Carpenter Street, brought up images of leaves falling and enriching the soil. Thus, the bulldozing of Old Lester will enrich the place where it stood for the benefit of others.
Lester High School has sat unused – except by homeless people – for many years. It closed in the 1970s as part of redistricting efforts and survived briefly as a community center and later as part of the Lester Elementary School. Norman said repurposing and revitalization of the school complex will restore the hope of many in the inner city Binghampton area.
Norman, a corporate marketing executive before answering a call to ministry, said that during the last 10 years First Baptist Church - Broad has invested nearly $10 million in revitalization of the Broad Avenue corridor.
This includes Victory Center, the church’s $2 million multi-purpose family life and worship facility completed in 2003, and purchase and current renovations to Lester School campus of nearly $8 million. When completed, the H.O.P.E. Zone will provide senior living, temporary housing for the homeless, and other ministries as well as the Christian school and job training center.
While the Zone will bring tremendous amenities, services and jobs to Binghampton, First Baptist Broad is already a driving force in Binghampton and recognized as a supportive community partner throughout the city. The church offers 30 ministry opportunities, including a Piggy Bank Club, Health Screenings, Christmas Toy Store, Clothes Closet, Aerobics, Alcohol and Drug Support, Boys-to-Men Ministry and G.I.R.L. Ministry. In addition, it partners with a variety of civic and community-based organizations on special projects and community events.
Norman studied community revitalization and church/corporate partnerships at Harvard Divinity School. He is also founder and principal officer of GREATER WORKS, Inc., an organizational management and empowerment ministry for churches.
A Morehouse College graduate, Norman was recently honored with his alma mater’s 2009 Candle on the Bluff Award. Presented at the Cannon Center in April, the award recognizes Memphians that have succeeded in keeping Dr. King’s dream alive by conducting outstanding works within their community.
Rev. Keith Norman is a happy man. The senior pastor of First Baptist Church - Broad (2835 Broad Ave.) is closer to his dream of a revitalized Binghampton community where the church was birthed 114 years ago.
Church’s dream bodes well for Binghampton
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| A revitalized Binghampton community is what Rev. Keith Norman envisions springing from the dust stirred up by the demolition of the old Lester High School. (Photos by Chad Bowman) |
Rev. Keith Norman is a happy man. The senior pastor of First Baptist Church - Broad (2835 Broad Ave.) is closer to his dream of a revitalized Binghampton community where the church was birthed 114 years ago.
At the demolition of Lester High School, a 56-year-old building at 580 Lester, Norman greeted dignitaries, city employees, church members and friends attending the Aug. 20 press conference saying, “Welcome to the proud city of Binghampton.”
And he declared himself the Mayor of Binghampton.
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| Mayor Pro Tem Lowery and City Councilmember Janis Fullilove were on hand to support Rev. Keith Norman and First Baptist Church – Broad as old Lester School was torn down. Said Lowery: “Removing this structure can not only help contribute to change in this community but its remnants can serve as a valuable community outreach amenity for its residents.” |
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| Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton Jr. and Rev. Norman share the dream of a revitalized Binghampton community. Wharton said he once lived in the area. |
Pastor of Binghampton’s First Baptist Church since 1999, Norman is spearheading revitalization in the area and the church’s purchase of the Lester School complex, a 50,000 sq. ft. three-building site that has come to be known informally as Hope Village and more formally as the H.O.P.E. Zone (Haven of Perfective Empowerment).
The old high school, built in 1952, was demolished using federal funding made available through the City of Memphis. Norman, a South Memphis native, called the collaboration to demolish the abandoned school building, “the best effort of faith-based partnership with government.”
The complex, located on Broad diagonally across from the church, included the 580 Lester building as well as the newer but also abandoned Lester School at 575 Carpenter, now gutted, and a one-story auxiliary classroom building at 2900 Broad at Carpenter. First Baptist renovated the one-story building in 2005 to provide apartments for Hurricane Katrina victims and now uses it as an office building and meeting place for anger management classes.
Plans for the demolition site include a Christian school and workforce development center. Lowery said the project will provide citizens with a means of empowering themselves and that he wishes more churches would get involved in community revitalization.
Invoking the image of a phoenix rising from the ashes, Lowery said, “Removing this structure can not only help contribute to change in this community but its remnants can serve as a valuable community outreach amenity for its residents.”
Wharton, saying he used to rent a room on Carpenter Street, brought up images of leaves falling and enriching the soil. Thus, the bulldozing of Old Lester will enrich the place where it stood for the benefit of others.
Lester High School has sat unused – except by homeless people – for many years. It closed in the 1970s as part of redistricting efforts and survived briefly as a community center and later as part of the Lester Elementary School. Norman said repurposing and revitalization of the school complex will restore the hope of many in the inner city Binghampton area.
Norman, a corporate marketing executive before answering a call to ministry, said that during the last 10 years First Baptist Church - Broad has invested nearly $10 million in revitalization of the Broad Avenue corridor.
This includes Victory Center, the church’s $2 million multi-purpose family life and worship facility completed in 2003, and purchase and current renovations to Lester School campus of nearly $8 million. When completed, the H.O.P.E. Zone will provide senior living, temporary housing for the homeless, and other ministries as well as the Christian school and job training center.
While the Zone will bring tremendous amenities, services and jobs to Binghampton, First Baptist Broad is already a driving force in Binghampton and recognized as a supportive community partner throughout the city. The church offers 30 ministry opportunities, including a Piggy Bank Club, Health Screenings, Christmas Toy Store, Clothes Closet, Aerobics, Alcohol and Drug Support, Boys-to-Men Ministry and G.I.R.L. Ministry. In addition, it partners with a variety of civic and community-based organizations on special projects and community events.
Norman studied community revitalization and church/corporate partnerships at Harvard Divinity School. He is also founder and principal officer of GREATER WORKS, Inc., an organizational management and empowerment ministry for churches.
A Morehouse College graduate, Norman was recently honored with his alma mater’s 2009 Candle on the Bluff Award. Presented at the Cannon Center in April, the award recognizes Memphians that have succeeded in keeping Dr. King’s dream alive by conducting outstanding works within their community.