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ORDER OF THE NEW HAVEN BOARD OF ALDERS DESIGNATING THE CORNER OF BREWSTER STREET AND SHELTON AVENUE AS “GENERAL BISHOP ELIJAH DAVIS, JR. CORNER” IN PERPETUITY TO HONOR THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF BISHOP ELIJAH DAVIS, JR. FOR HIS GREAT CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE NEWHALLVILLE COMMUNITY AND CITY OF NEW HAVEN
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WHEREAS: General Bishop Elijah Davis, Jr. has ascended to become a well-known and respected spiritual leader serving in many roles and capacities of responsibility as a spiritual and community leader in the Newhallville Neighborhood and citywide for many years; and
WHEREAS: Bishop Elijah Davis Jr., born on June 2, 1946, in Ayden North Carolina, the son of the late Elijah Davis Sr. and Mother Novella Davis-Royster, was educated in the South Ayden school system; and
WHEREAS: on October1, 1967, he was united in holy matrimony to the former Esther Hardy, and they were blessed with two children, Rev. Dr. LaTonya Renee Thorpe (Adolphe) and Retired Connecticut State Trooper Christopher E. Davis (Lolita), and a host of grandchildren and great grandchildren; and
WHEREAS: Bishop Davis and his family later moved to New Haven, and joined Pitts Chapel U.F.W.B. Church in 1974 under the leadership of Bishop Lonnie Gorham; and
WHEREAS: Bishop Davis began a journey for him that has transformed not only the lives of he and his family, but countless others as he accepted his divine call and preached his initial sermon on November 11, 1980, became the Pastor of Pitts Chapel in 1986, received his Bachelor's degree in Theology in 1989, was consecrated Bishop on October 1996, and received his Doctorate of Divinity in February 1997; and
WHEREAS: he is a Connecticut State Police Chaplain and is the Presiding Annual Bishop of the Northern Connecticut Annual conference, General Bishop of the Unified Freewill Baptist Churches Inc., and the Second Vice President of the National Convention of Freewill Baptist U.S.A.; and
WHEREAS: over the years, Bishop Davis has helped countless people and has shown great compassion throughout the community-at-large that led to the establishment of a food bank, Winter Coat Drives, Boys to Men Youth Program, Deacon Training School (the only one known in Connecticut), the Newhallville Community Center (providing many needed services to the youth and adults throughout the Newhallville community); and
WHEREAS: under Bishop Davis’ leadership, Pitts Chapel Church provided assistance to the Newhallville community, assisting inmates being released from prison to find jobs and housing, provided AIDS counseling and assistance, had weekly clothes pantry, provided yearly Thanksgiving baskets to the community, yearly Christmas parties, giving away over 500 toys each year, provided meals for the homeless, opened an after school center at the church where all children were welcomed, and provided computers, games, and exercise equipment; and
WHEREAS: for 35 years, pastor Davis has faithfully provided various counseling services in the area of marriage, divorce, grief, finance and family, as well as visiting and praying for sick people in hospitals, nursing homes and those homebound; and
WHEREAS: when increased violence became a problem in the neighborhood, General Bishop Davis walked with several other bishops and pastors to protest the violence and bring calm and peace back to the community; and
WHEREAS: he has financially assisted many residents with rent payments, utility bills, and food shortages, provided loans to new pastors seeking to start their own churches, performed numerous funerals, weddings, christenings and baptisms free of charge to the underprivileged; and
WHEREAS: over the last 35 years, his teachings have led thousands to Christianity, as he has been such a powerful role model for both youth and adults; and
WHEREAS: Bishop Davis continues to show great concern and compassion for the spiritual growth and wellbeing of others in the church and throughout the community and remains faithful to his call of service toward his fellow man.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDERED by the New Haven Board of Alders that in honor of the many contributions and great services to the New Haven community, the corner of Brewster Street and Shelton Avenue is designated as “General Bishop Elijah Davis, Jr. Corner” in perpetuity, as a permanent tribute to his legacy in New Haven’s Newhallville community and city-wide, as well as his integrity, generosity, hope, and dignity.
BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that the Department of Transportation, Traffic and Parking is hereby directed and authorized to implement this Order.
BE IT EVEN FURTHER ORDERED that a copy of this Order is hereby forwarded to the City/Town Clerk.