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Renaming the 4700 block of Tackawanna Street “Rev. Lee Mason, Jr., Way” to recognize, honor, and celebrate the life and legacy of Reverend Lee Mason Jr. for his dedication to the Northeast Baptist Church Community.
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WHEREAS, Reverend Lee Mason, Jr., was born on March 7, 1935 to Lee and Martha Mason in Pocahontas, Virginia. Mason was one of four children. He was baptized at the First Baptist Church of Pocahontas; and
WHEREAS, Mason enlisted in the United States Army at the age of 17. He was a certified sharp shooter whose posts included stints in Virginia, Kansas, and Korea, where he engaged in combat. After being honorably discharged from the military in 1955, Mason moved to Philadelphia, where he joined the Resurrection Baptist Church and served as a deacon. He answered the call to ministry in 1957; and
WHEREAS, On Sept. 7, 1958, he married Eunice D. Johnson. Between being a husband, working, and having a family, Mason built his ministry. His first pastorate role was at Mount Moriah Baptist Church in Philadelphia, where he grew the congregation and ushered in many new ministries; and
WHEREAS, Mason founded the New Joy Baptist Church in 1966 in Philadelphia. With the help of the small congregation, he was able to purchase and furnish a building, and invest in an organ and piano. This family church flourished until 1983. In 1974, Mason became the pastor of the Northeast Baptist Church in the Frankford section of Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Lee Mason, Jr., was the pastor of the Northeast Baptist Church and a civil rights leader who fought against racial injustice. When Mason celebrated 30 years in the ministry in 1987, Mayor Goode gave the celebration’s keynote address; and
WHEREAS, Mason devoted many hours to helping advance the City and country he loved, serving as an organizer and field representative for the Philadelphia chapter of Jackson’s Rainbow PUSH Organization, and a clergyman for the Philadelphia Police Community Relations Organization. He also held positions in the Philadelphia Pastor’s Conference, Pennsylvania State Baptist Convention, Progressive Baptist Convention and the National Baptist Convention; and
WHEREAS, Mason celebrated 50 years in the ministry in 2007. During those 50 years, Mason conducted revivals for some of the greatest preachers and theologians of his time. On Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014, at the age of 79, Reverend Lee Mason, Jr., passed away. He is survived by his wife, his sons Aaron J. Mason, Nathaniel L. Mason (Cynthia), Jonathan A. Mason, Sr., (Dionis), Shawn Salley (Mattie), Michael Young and Jason Scott; daughter Martha Butler (Elijah); 17 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren, and many other relatives and friends; and
WHEREAS, We in this Council, join in recognizing and honoring the life and legacy of Reverend Lee Mason, Jr., and hope that the renaming of the 4700 block of Tackawanna Street between Margaret Street and Fillmore Street, will keep his memory alive, as a reminder of his service and dedication to the community through his service; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, By the Council of the City of Philadelphia, That 4700 Block of Tackawanna Street is also named “Rev. Lee Mason, Jr., Way”.
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