Plainfield Renames East Fourth Street for Bishop Lawrence Wyatt

Plainfield honored the late pastor Bishop Lawrence Wyatt with a street renaming ceremony as city officials, community members, and clergy gathered to recognize his 25 years of service to the community. East Fourth Street between Richmond Street and Roosevelt Avenue—the block directly outside the Church of the Living God Pentecostal Tabernacle where Wyatt ministered—is now Bishop Lawrence Wyatt Boulevard.

Union County Life covers Plainfield civic honors, community memorials, and the legacies of local leaders across all 21 Union County municipalities.

Bishop Wyatt was born on December 29, 1940, in Irvington, New Jersey. At 20 years old, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he served as a heavy artillery expert and drill sergeant before receiving an honorable discharge. In 1961, he married Reverend Malinda Jennings. Together they raised five sons.

After moving to Plainfield in 1969, Wyatt worked in the Housing Preservation and Weatherization Office while also operating Big W Construction Company and co-owning Lynette Electrical Company. His civic involvement extended across multiple sectors. He became assistant pastor of the Church of the Living God Pentecostal Tabernacle before being installed as pastor in 1976, a position he held for 25 years until his death in 2001.

Mayor Adrian Mapp issued a proclamation recognizing Wyatt's contributions, describing his life as embodying "the values of faith, service, compassion, leadership, and community engagement." The proclamation credited Wyatt with establishing and expanding programs to prevent homelessness, creating the church's food bank, and helping launch Daybreak Community Development Corporation, which provides social services and youth programs.

Beyond the church, Wyatt's impact extended into criminal justice reform and reentry. He partnered with Union and Middlesex County probation departments to provide employment, housing assistance, mentoring, and other reentry services to people returning from prison. He served as president of the Plainfield Municipal Alliance clergy group from 1999 to 2001, vice president of the Concerned Urban Clergy of Plainfield, and on several community boards.

The proclamation declared it "fitting and proper that the city of Plainfield permanently recognize Bishop Lawrence Wyatt's extraordinary legacy and decades of service to the community by designating a portion of the street where he faithfully ministered and served as a lasting tribute to his ministry."

Evangelist Geraldine Thomas spoke at the dedication, contextualizing the street naming beyond its literal meaning. "This street dedication represents more than just the unveiling of a sign," she said. "It symbolizes the preservation of a legacy. It honors a servant leader whose ministry, vision, and unwavering commitment touched countless lives. May Bishop Lawrence Wyatt Boulevard stand as a lasting symbol of faith, perseverance, love, and service, inspiring generations to come."

Bishop Wayne Johnson, who had installed Wyatt as pastor decades earlier, thanked city officials for the recognition. "I thank God again for Mayor Mapp and the City Council of Plainfield for recognizing the work that this man of God has done, the lives that he has touched. This is a joyous occasion. As we come through East Fourth Street, now we can look up and see the name Bishop Lawrence Wyatt Boulevard."

Bishop Raymond L. Wyatt, Bishop Lawrence Wyatt's son, offered a reflection rooted in his father's philosophy. "It's not just about us, but it's about every person and everyone's life that we touch. So we truly thank God for his life, his legacy, and for the street naming of Bishop Lawrence Wyatt Boulevard."

The ceremony also included remarks from Minister Malinda Royal, Assistant Pastor Stephen Callands, Elder Jonathan Thomas, and family members Tony Wyatt and Daniel Wyatt.

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FAQ

Q: Did Plainfield rename a street for Bishop Lawrence Wyatt?
A: Yes. East Fourth Street between Richmond Street and Roosevelt Avenue in Plainfield was renamed Bishop Lawrence Wyatt Boulevard to honor the late pastor's 25 years of service to the community.

Q: Who was Bishop Lawrence Wyatt?
A: Bishop Lawrence Wyatt (1940–2001) was a pastor at the Church of the Living God Pentecostal Tabernacle for 25 years. He also served in the U.S. Army and worked in housing preservation, construction, and community development.

Q: What were Bishop Wyatt's main contributions to Plainfield?
A: Wyatt established and expanded homelessness prevention programs, created the church's food bank, helped launch Daybreak Community Development Corporation (which provides social services and youth programs), and partnered with probation departments to support people reentering from prison.

Q: Where is Bishop Lawrence Wyatt Boulevard located?
A: Bishop Lawrence Wyatt Boulevard covers the block of East Fourth Street between Richmond Street and Roosevelt Avenue, directly outside the Church of the Living God Pentecostal Tabernacle in Plainfield.

Q: When was the street naming ceremony held?
A: The street renaming ceremony was held on a Saturday in July 2026, with city officials, clergy, and community members attending to honor Bishop Wyatt's legacy.

Q: Did Mayor Mapp support the street naming?
A: Yes. Mayor Adrian Mapp issued a proclamation recognizing Bishop Wyatt's contributions and supporting the street designation.

Q: What was Bishop Wyatt's criminal justice work?
A: Wyatt partnered with Union and Middlesex County probation departments to provide employment, housing assistance, mentoring, and other reentry services to people returning from prison.