Pastor Gets Street Named After Him
City's citizens advisory committee renames one block of Meinecke Ave.
W. Meinecke Ave. at N. 5th St.
The city committee has a long name: the (whew) Citizen Advisory Committee on the Naming of Public Buildings, Facilities and Streets. The committee met earlier this month and heard a proposal to add an honorary name to a portion of W. Meinecke Ave. Honorary street names are meant to praise to those who have made a difference in the community or a major contribution to city life.
Phyllis Todd made the proposal, to honor her father, Pastor Joe Todd, for his many years of involved service and self-sacrifice in the community. Pastor Todd is the head pastor at Ephesians Missionary Baptist Church, that occupies the portion of Meinecke Avenue between N. 5th and N. 6th streets that would receive the honorary name “Pastor Joe H. and Erma Todd Avenue”.
Several people at the meeting were there to illustrate why Todd should be honored.
Pastor Todd, who is 79, had several mild strokes in May and is currently recovering from them.
“Give folks their flowers while they’re still alive,” said David Cook, who explained that Pastor Todd helped him overcome substance abuse.
Milwaukee historian John Gurda, the chairman of this advisory committee, was on hand, along three other committee members. They approved the proposal for the street renaming — after comments by board members extolling the life of Joe Todd — and the honorary name will be posted for the next ten years. Oh, and Pastor Todd has no idea his daughter and church members made the proposal.
“He’s a very humble man,” said Phyllis Todd.
Carrie Fix, one of the board members, added a closing thought: “He sounds like someone who is a true Milwaukeean. He went to school here and stayed in the community, and supported the community.”
And at least for that one block of renamed street, the name Todd will be much easier to pronounce than Meinecke.
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Thank God for Pastor Joe Todd, a wonderful Man of God! Milwaukee has leaders like Pastor Todd and needs more like him. Honoring him in this way should be a great encouragement for those new Men of God to rise up and honor our God by serving Him as humbly asPastor Todd!
I am so very excited!
This man of God is a silent giant and he and his wife deserves this honor! Congrats Pastor Joe & Lady Erma Todd…….
Words, not only words can express how I feel about Pastor Todd! My heart expands when I glance at a picture that I received from him before I moved out of the state. Pastor Todd has known me since a fetus. The Todd family lived right around the corner from my family. I remember going outside after school and sometimes before school, I would run outside just to wait to see Phyllis walk to school. She would say, “hi pretty girl, as she walked by with that big bright smile she still has today. I was bitter at one point, as one day Pastor Todd was at our fence speaking with my mom and he said, “hey girl, you gone speak”, then after he spoke with me and then in I attended Ephesians Missionary Baptist Church when it was the red brick building, and the Todd girls were the choir. I’m proud and delighted to say that Ephesians has a true MAN OF GOD! I told him that! He will give you the truth, knowledge and share the understanding with you. And one can’t forget Mama Todd! Thank you for helping my mom accept my moving. I just LOVED looking at you. I will always LOVE and CHERISH my time with my friend and brother Pastor Joe Todd and Mama Todd!😄
Awesome man of God. Great pioneer here in Milwaukee.I have admired the walk this man portrays before us. A walk of the humbled and servants. was baptised at Ephesians as a child and 25 years later he’s still a servant and giant in the gospel. Job well done sir. God’s blessings to you, your family & the Ephesians church family.
Wow i love my uncle and all he has done to help everyone he knows he is the leader of our entire family
God bless you Pastor Joe and Moma Erma, naming a street after you all is ever so honorable. Me and wife love you all, and respect your walk of integrity.
Pastor Melvin & Lady Brooks