Title
Dept/ Agency: Offices of Municipal Council/City Clerk
Action: ( ) Ratifying (X) Authorizing ( ) Amending
Type of Service: Ceremonial Street Designation
Honoree: Bishop Frank Garris
Date(s): Saturday, August 22, 2026
Time: 11:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M.
Official Street Name(s): Intersection of South 16th Street and Clinton Avenue
Ceremonial Intersection Name: Bishop Frank Garris Way
Sponsor: Louise Scott-Rountree, Council Member-At-Large
Additional Information:
The event will take place at the corner of The Church “Positive Proof Family Worship Center” on the corner of South 16th Street and Clinton Avenue, South Ward. Signage will be on South 16th Street
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WHEREAS, Ordinance 6PSF-f, adopted on May 20, 2015, authorizes the designation of an intersection, etc., for honorary and ceremonial purposes; and
WHEREAS, the Bishop Frank Garris, born in Ayden, North Carolina, and ordained in 1960 by the Church of Christ Disciples of Christ, Bishop Frank Garris moved to Newark, New Jersey in 1963 to become a member of Deliverance Evangelistic Center. During this time, he embarked on a professional career in real estate. Bishop Garris lived in the City of Newark with his wife and their 2 children for twenty-plus years as he served as Pastor in the Newark community for over fifty years; and
WHEREAS, the Bishop Frank Garris established a close relationship with many local government officials during the ground level stage of Kenneth A. Gibson’s campaign for mayor. He became a close and personal friend of the former Mayor Sharpe James and a devoted brother of Council-Member, Mildred C. Crump; and
WHEREAS, co-founder of the NewArk Evangelistic Revival Center and later known as the Positive Proof Ministries, this ministry’s footprint continued to expand through the implementation of a nightly broadcast in and around the New York and New Jersey metropolitan area. Bishop Garris is a member of the Christian Communicators and the National Religious Broadcasters (“NRB”), which expanded the evangelistic ministry to two locations; Central Avenue and later on to South Orange Avenue in Newark; and
WHEREAS, the Positive Proof Ministries continues to grow, and reach a wide range of international audiences while remaining planted in the City of Newark as the primary base for its ministries then and as it is today, Positive Proof Family Church continues here on Clinton Avenue where it currently resides; and
WHEREAS, Bishop Garris’ unwavering commitment to the City of Newark continues to transform lives. He continues to pastor and lead with grace, reverence, and a heart committed to God and the City he proudly serves.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, THAT:
1. The Municipal Council does hereby authorize the honorary and ceremonial renaming of the intersection of South 16th Street and Clinton Avenue to Bishop Frank Garris Way.
2. The official name of said streets shall remain South 16th Street and Clinton Avenue in its entirety.
STATEMENT
This Resolution authorizes the ceremonial renaming of the intersection of South 16th Street and Clinton Avenue for honorary and ceremonial purposes.