title
ORDER OF THE BOARD OF ALDERS DESIGNATING THE CORNER OF BRISTOL STREET AND DIXWELL AVENUE AS BISHOP LETHENIAL MCCLAM CORNER.
body
WHEREAS, Bishop Lethenial McClam was born on June 14, 1942 in Kingstree, SC to the late Rev. Dr. Jackson McClam and the late Mother Velar Mayes McClain Woods; and
WHEREAS, in 1971, the late Bishop Lethenial McClam was called by God to preach. With much prayer and fasting, Bishop preached his first sermon On September 27, 1974. Four years later God called him to pastor, and he founded and started Union Disciple Unified Freewill Baptist Church on June 11, 1978. Lethenial McClam was ordained Bishop on December 12, 1980. Bishop pastored Union Disciple for 38 years; and
WHEREAS, Bishop McCiam met Mary Williams in 1967. Mary and Lethenial fell in love with each other and were married on March 9, 1968. Bishop and Mary became the proud parents of four children: Sheena, Shawneeque, Darrell and Darnell McClam. Bishop and Mary had a great life together for 48 years; and
WHEREAS, Bishop McClam had a passion for helping people find life at its best, which is found in knowing and following Christ. He loved to see people experience Jesus firsthand, grow to love Him and become strong disciples. Bishop planted many seeds of love that are bearing fruit till this day. The members of Union Disciple Church were blessed by Bishops' teaching, counseling, and spiritual Leadership. Under Bishop McClam's leadership and guidance, Union Disciple has been blessed with two young Pastors who have been equipped to carry on his legacy. Pastors Darrell and Darnell McClam have been pastoring for Four years; continuing in Bishops' legacy of love and giving.
WHEREAS, Bishop McClam was employed for 32 years at U.S. Repeating Arms Company where he served as the president of Local Lodge #609.
WHEREAS, he; his wife, Mary; and two sons, Darrell and Darnell McClam, opened the McClam Funeral Home on April of 2000. Bishop's heart was to help every family that walked through the doors of the McClam Funeral Home. Regardless, if the family had insurance or not Bishop believed that every life had significance and was worth celebrating in a special way that only the McClam Funeral Home was able and willing to provide. His philosophy blessed the business of McClam Funeral Home.
WHEREAS, on October 4, 2016, God called Bishop Lethenial McClam home. He is survived by his wife, Mary W. McClam; four children: Sheena, Shawneeque, Darrell, and Darnell McCiam; fourteen grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; two special cousins: Chantel and Wendell Todd; and the entire congregation of Union Disciple UFWB Church.
WHEREAS, Bishop Lethenial McClam greatest legacy is his service to his community which he filled in the capacity as usher, choir member, Sunday school teacher, business owner, and beloved pastor.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDER by the New Haven Board of Alders that in honor of his many contributions to the City of New Haven, the corner of Bristol Street and Dixwell Avenue be designated as “Bishop L. McClam Corner,” corner making his legacy in New Haven stand as an official and permanent reminder of integrity, generosity, and love.
BE IT FURTHER ORDER that the Department of Traffic and Parking is hereby directed and authorized to implement this order.