MANSFIELD — Water poured down as Rev. Dr. Verdell Larson’s grandson stood on a chair Sunday morning and removed the plastic wrapping around a new street sign that bears the pastor’s name.
“That’s an anointing,” Rev. El Akuchie said with a laugh as the Providence Baptist Church congregation responded in kind.
It was a joyous morning for the West Sixth Street church that Larson, who died in 2012 at age 92, led for half a century.
The street sign unveiling came midway through a service that also marked the 71st anniversary of a church whose origins date back to 1954 when it was organized in the home of Beaulah Hammond. It was previously known as the Bethany Bible Class.
Rev. Mark Cobb, the church’s current pastor, stood with the congregation under bright blue skies and remarked on the moment.
“We’re just so appreciative. I think God is shining on us,” said Cobb, who has led the church for the past eight years.
“Rev. Dr. Verdell Larson was such an amazing man. This is just a small testament to how great a man he was and we’re just appreciative to have known him.
“Thank you God for giving us this great, amazing day,” Cobb said.
(Photos taken Sunday morning as Providence Baptist Church at 112 W. 6th St. in Mansfield celebrated its 71st anniversary and unveiled the new street sign honoring its longtime pastor, the Rev. Dr. Verdell Larson. The story continues below the photos.)
Mansfield City Council in September approved an ordinance adding Larson’s name to a section of Miller Street near the church he pastored from 1956 to 2006.
Joetta McCruter-Polk, a member of the congregation who made the request of local lawmakers, sang and spoke during the Sunday morning service.
“The street sign for Reverend Larson is going to be unveiled today,” she said. “To God be the glory for that. It’s just indicative that when we as a community come together, we can get some things done.
“We’re just glad to be here and to be a part of what is going to just about to take place. We’re so excited about that,” she said.
Mansfield Mayor Jodie Perry read a proclamation that marked Sunday as “Reverend Doctor Verdell E. Larson Celebration Day” in the city.
“Two months ago, I walked into council as I normally do, about two minutes early, and my head did a quick swivel because the room was absolutely packed. That’s normally not a good sign because it means people are mad at you for something,” she said with a laugh.
Instead, Perry said, it was a good thing as a large segment of the congregation came to make the street sign request.
“(The street sign vote) was probably one of the easiest choices council has had to make recently,” Perry said. “I want to thank you for coming and make the request.
“Thank you so much for raising this to the city’s attention and thank you to our council members who made this happen,” the mayor said.
Born in Kentucky, Larson lived in Mansfield for the last 68 years of life. He was co-owner of the Silver Streak Cab Company, which was Mansfield’s first Black-owned cab company. He later became an independent insurance agent for the Supreme Life Insurance Company.
Larson was the assistant pastor at the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church before becoming the pastor of Providence Baptist Church in 1956.
He retired in 2006 as pastor emeritus from his pastoral duties at the church, which has about 180 members.
Larson was involved in the community, serving on many boards such as Inter-City Council of Churches, Volunteers of America, Habitat For Humanity Committee, and president of the Mansfield Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance and the NAACP.
According to the mayor’s proclamation, “He was a pillar in the community and adored by all.”
“The renaming of Miller Street just north of Sixth Street to Reverend Doctor Verdell E. Larson Street is an honorary recognition as a lasting tribute to his spiritual leadership and dedicated civic engagements,” Perry said in the proclamation.
