Former Mayor Tom Menino Honored At Church Service In Mattapan
BOSTON (CBS) - Mayor Menino was the man everyone felt they knew and that was certainly the case at Morningstar Baptist Church in Mattapan.
When the church had raised 75% of its funding for a new sanctuary, they still could not get a bank to give them a loan. Mayor Menino made a few phone calls to help the church secure that loan.
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The mayor was known to visit and slip into a pew before anyone noticed. Many in the congregation considered him a church member because he attended so often.
"It was always a surprise and it made us feel important that we were an integral part of the community," said Sharon Reed.
Thursday night, the church had planned a get out the vote sermon. They made it an opportunity to honor Mayor Menino's life.
Jeffrey Brown, Associate Pastor of Twelfth Baptist Church in Roxbury, has a close relationship with Menino that dates back to the mayor's days on the city council.
"A great friend and a great leader," said Brown.
Early in his tenure, Mayor Menino reached out to churches to help combat gang violence. He worked with the pastors to heal racial tensions.
"He didn't have to reach out to us, but he did and he kept doing it continually and built relationships," said Brown.
Brown said he remembered Menino bringing together clergy, police, community leaders and the private sector to work together. He called it one of the mayor's great legacies. And, he said Menino was open to try anything to fix a problem.
"I am just glad to have known him," said Brown.
St. John's of West Roxbury is Tom and Angela Menino's family church.
Until he got sick, Mayor Menino always sat in the same back pew near his friends. They attended 7:30 a.m. mass and then went out to breakfast. As he became physically weaker, Mayor Menino sat near the door.
He was known at church as someone to rely on and who was there for others. Those who attended church with him say he was just Tom – a good humble person. One friend said, "What can I say he was a friend, a great friend."
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