Crown Heights street co-named for revered local pastor and his wife
New Sign Outside First Baptist Church of Crown Heights Reads: “Rev. Dr. Clarence Norman Sr. Ellen Norman Way”
To honor them for a legacy of more than 60 years ministering to their congregation, the street outside First Baptist Church of Crown Heights has been co-named for its famed pastor and his wife.
In a ceremony after last Sunday’s service attended by their children, as well as more than 100 congregants, area residents and local leaders, a new sign reading “Rev. Dr. Clarence Norman Sr. Ellen Norman Way” was installed outside the church at the corner of Eastern Parkway and Rogers Avenue.
The Rev. Norman Sr., who died in July 2015 at age 85, founded the church with 20 members as First Baptist Church of Williamsburg in 1953. He ultimately moved it to its current location, where it has grown to 2,000 members. Ellen Norman, who died in January, 2016, was Norman Sr.’s wife and the “First Lady” of First Baptist for 50 years.
