MANSFIELD — The legacy of the late Rev. Verdell Larson was humanized Tuesday evening.
Few eyes were dry in Mansfield City Council chambers as several members of Providence Baptist Church — where Larson pastored for 50 years — took turns speaking to city lawmakers during public comment.
Many additional congregants were in attendance Tuesday to display their support.
Joetta McCruter-Polk spoke first on behalf of the congregation. She told council the church desires to have a small section of Miller Street — running parallel to the building’s east side — named in honor of its late pastor.
Larson passed away Nov. 28, 2012, at the age of 92.
McCruter-Polk said Providence Baptist will celebrate its 71st anniversary in October and would like to have an honorary street sign by that time.
“He (Larson) was a very selfless man,” she told council. “He contributed a lot not only to his church, but to the community.
“This street sign will be a beacon of honor, encouragement and a stationary reminder that diligence, commitment, love and hard work can be accomplished for anyone who looks up and sees that.”
Larson’s eldest child, Dwana Washington, said her father was more than a pastor to just his church, but a pastor to everyone.
Heavily involved in the community, Washington listed several of the boards and committees her father served on, including the Inter-City Council of Churches, Volunteers of America and Habitat For Humanity.
Larson was also a past president of the Mansfield Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance and the local NAACP branch, among others.
“I really didn’t know exactly how much he affected this community until after he had passed,” Washington said of her father. “He was a very humble man.
“He was a pillar in the community, with a commitment to excellence. He truly believed in helping people. His famous saying that he used to always say is he wanted to make Mansfield into Godsfield,” Washington said.
Larson was a mentor to Mansfield lawmaker
Mark Cobb, Providence Baptist’s current pastor, said Larson was a mentor to many young men in the community, himself included.
“I am a prime example that he put work into that,” Cobb said. “I am grateful that he did not give up on me. He gave me a second chance.”
Third Ward Councilman Rev. El Akuchie said Washington brought emotion out of him when she spoke Tuesday night.
“I am one of those that he (Larson) mentored for so many years,” Akuchie said. “When I came into Mansfield, he was one of the first pastors that welcomed me and let me know that I belong here.
“I have a lot to say about him and I thank you all for coming,” he told the congregants.
Mansfield Mayor Jodie Perry said she hadn’t heard of the request prior to Tuesday’s meeting, but intends to take the proposal into consideration.
Several members of council thanked the congregation and speakers for attending the meeting and voicing their request.
In other action Tuesday, City Council:
— accepted a $2,500 donation from Worner Roofing to purchase socks and shoes in the Mansfield Police Department’s “Back to School Drive.”
— accepted a $1,000 donation from Gorman-Rupp Pumps to be used in the disc golf course at Middle Park.
— authorized the public works director to apply for the 2026 inflow and infiltration reduction project, seeking a state bond issue grant.
— allowed the public works director to enter into a Military Construction Cooperative Agreement with the National Guard Bureau to build a 138kV electrical substation and distribution system for the the Ohio Air National Guard 179th Cyberspace Wing.
According to the legislation, the project is needed to meet increased electrical demands of the wing’s new cyber mission and will include improvements to serve new cyber operations facilities at the base located at Mansfield Lahm Regional Airport.
The City of Mansfield is designated as the grantee under the project, subject to reimbursement by the NGB. City engineer Bob Bianchi said they will reimburse the city up to $7.2 million.
If project costs were to exceed that amount, an amendment would be made to the agreement between NGB and the city to compensate for the total cost, he said.
The city will act as the contracting agent for the project, including coordinating with FirstEnergy for connection to the transmission system.
— accepted a fact-finder’s report and approved a new labor contract with American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3088.
