The Star of Hope Baptist Church community gathered at the Philadelphia Ballroom to celebrate the Rev. Hubert Barnes’ 40 years as pastor.
Star of Hope is located at 7137 Hegerman St. in Tacony.
The event included music; prayer; lunch; an invocation by the Rev. George Nelson, of Northeast Baptist Church of Frankford; and remarks by, among others, the Rev. Donald Cosby, pastor of Oxford Circle Baptist Church.
The Rev. Jonathan Mason, chairman of the Mayor’s Interfaith Roundtable, delivered a citation on behalf of Mayor Cherelle Parker.
State Sen. Joe Picozzi presented citations to Barnes and his wife of 54 years, the Rev. Evelyn Barnes, pastor at Tacony Baptist Church. Picozzi is a Tacony resident who last summer attended Star of Hope’s block party.
“I see what this church does for Tacony,” he said.
City Councilman Mike Driscoll and state Rep. Pat Gallagher presented citations to the Rev. Hubert Barnes.
“This man is a true gentleman,” Driscoll said. ••
