The Newark Church of Christ hasn’t changed locations since the 1960s. But on July 11, the New Jersey church’s stately brick building had a new address — South 14th and Dr. Eugene Lawton Way.
Family of the Newark Church of Christ’s longtime minister, who died March 12, gathered with church members and city officials to unveil a street sign in honor of Lawton. The evangelist was known for his extensive bowtie collection, sharp suits and Scripture-packed sermons.
“With all of the things that have been going on on this corner, we can now say, ‘Wait a minute! Dr. Lawton is watching,’” said Newark City Council member Louise Roundtree.
Mikki Taylor, an editor for Essence magazine and a longtime member of the Newark congregation, said that the road renaming was “a tribute to a man that God had on the front lines. Brother Lawton was a hurricane for the gospel of Christ (and) was a force for souls.”
“Here in the City of Newark, he was not only in the church for…
