129-Year-Old Newark Church Joins Battle Against Coronavirus

NEWARK, NJ — A 129-year-old church in Newark has joined the fight against the coronavirus.

For more than a century, Pilgrim Baptist Church has stood as a symbol of resilience to many people in Newark, standing tall despite the ravages of the pandemic. Now, it will be adding COVID-19 testing to its list of community services.

As part of a joint effort between 10 churches in the Brick City, Pilgrim Baptist will be hosting free COVID-19 testing events on Saturday, May 22 and Saturday, June 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 24 Jay Street. Walk-ups are welcome, but people can reserve an appointment at myquest.questdiagnostics.com.

For more information, call Pilgrim Baptist Church at (973) 482-8124 or register for COVID-19 testing here.

The event is being held in solidarity with the Choose Healthy Life Initiative, a nationwide partnership that involves the United Way of New York City and Quest Diagnostics.

Other Newark houses of worship supporting the initiative with on-site COVID-19 testing events include Metropolitan Baptist Church, Bethany Baptist Church, City Hope Ministries, Greater Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, Jehovah-Jireh Praise and Worship Church Center, Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, Clear View Baptist Church, Pleasant Grove Baptist Church and St. Marks Free Will Baptist Church.

In a show of solidarity, all the churches came together last week for a city-wide COVID-19 testing event at Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church.

According to a statement from Pilgrim Baptist:

“Choose Healthy Life was founded by Debra Fraser-Howze as a sustainable, scalable, and transferable approach centered around the Black Church – the oldest and most trusted institution in the Black community – to address public health disparities. Choose Health Life is co-chaired by Rev. Al Sharpton and Rev. Calvin O. Butts III. Fraser-Howze said she handpicked the two pastors after working with them in the past on health equity issues. Sharpton, Butts III, and Reverend Dr. David Jefferson Sr., Esq., helped launch the effort in five major cities: Newark, Atlanta, Detroit, Washington D.C, and New York City earlier this year. Dr. Glenn B. Wilson, Sr., Pastor of Pilgrim Baptist Church, explained, ‘As the vaccine is rolled out across the United States, the need for consistent testing remains to save lives. As faith leaders, we, along with the partner churches, will guide community members through the testing process and serve as a COVID-19 education resource.’”

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