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Local
Nine Months After Fire, Church Moves Into New Building
Robles Park Resident Council Leader Concerned About Future
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
When Reva Iman took over as president of the Robles Park Resident Council, her goal was to erase the reputation the public housing complex had earned, and turn it into a place where people actually cared about each other and wanted to live in a safe community.
“When I first took over as president, I knew I had a big job ahead of me, but I was con- fident it could get done.
“I had gotten commitments from some of the residents and the staff of the Tampa Housing Authority (THA) to help me make Robles Park a respectful community.”
Reva said for a few months, it began to look like things were turning around. However, now she says it all appears to have been a smoke screen.
“I honestly believe there are people living in this complex who don’t see any problems in this complex.
“Those people enjoy chaos, and believe there should al- ways be something negative going on.”
Reva said she’s disap- pointed because some of the residents aren’t doing what they promised.
“The problems in this com- plex aren’t restricted to any particular area, and people are covering up for the ones who are causing the problems.”
THA Director of Public Re- lations, Lillian Stringer said, Ms. Iman hasn’t spoken to her, and she has no idea who made the commitments Ms. Iman is talking about.
“She has maintained an open channel of communica- tion with us, but she hasn’t been specific about any pro- blems she’s having at Robles.”
Tina Washington, assis- tant to Stephanie Gilmore, Director of Program and Prop-
REVA IMAN
erty Services, said she knows Ms. Iman has requested to meet with Mrs. Gilmore.
“She’s asked to meet with Stephanie, but she wasn’t clear as to what she wanted to discuss. We met with her in October, and it was a break- through meeting. Everything seemed fine, and she had no complaints about anything.”
Reva said when you have an environment where people do nothing all day long, you can expect problems to crop up.
“I believe some residents have become set in their ways and don’t think they have to do anything but what they’re doing now.
“I can’t convince them that things are going to change, be- cause they’ve become so used to having everything given to them without them having to earn it.”
Reva said she’s tried walk- ing around the complex to meet and greet people and let them know who she is and what she’s trying to do.
“I believe Robles can im- prove, but it has to start with the residents. They have to care more about where they live and where their children are grow- ing up.
“It’s hard when the resi- dents who believe things need to change are being harassed and intimidated by the ones who want this to be a lawless community.”
REV. DR. HENRY LYONS Senior Pastor, New Salem
M. B. Church Old New Salem M. B. Church
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
During the early morning hours of February 2nd, a fire raced through the walls of a historic African American church. In its wake, the fire literally destroyed the New Salem Missionary Baptist Church, 405 N. Oregon Av- enue.
After the fire, the church held services in East Tampa. Now, nine months later, they are preparing to move into a new building.
Rev. Dr. Henry Lyons,
Senior Pastor of the church said, “We purchased a build- ing and we are ready to move in. But this is not our grand opening. This is a “soft” grand opening.
“We will hold our first service on Sunday, December 6th. The first service will be at 8 a.m., then Sunday School at
9:30 a.m., followed by the 10:45 a.m. Main Service.”
Dr. Lyons said the church sold their acre of land in Hyde Park and will move into their new facility without a mortgage. He further said the new church is located at 8525 N. 78th Street, in Tem- ple Terrace. The structure sits on 51/2 acres of land.
In addition to changing locations, the church will also change its name. The new name is New Salem Mission- ary Baptist Church at Destiny Pointe.
Dr. Lyons said, “We will have a two-day official Grand Opening in February 2016. So many churches helped us with money, support, prayers, and materials inside and out. Black churches in Tampa and throughout the nation were there for us. They wholeheartedly sup- ported us.
“We are going to have the first day of the Grand Open- ing on a Saturday so that those churches can come and it won’t interfere with their own First Sunday services. On Sunday, we will continue with the Grand Opening services. Everyone is invited to attend on Saturday or Sun- day,” he said.
The church paid $925,000 for the new build- ing that seats 500 people comfortably.
Dr. Lyons, who has led the congregation for the past 11 years, said that even before the fire, the church had out- grown the space in which it was located. After the fire, he said the limited space, chang- ing of the community and difficulty obtaining permits were all factors in relocating.
“Our roots are deep there and through the years, we have a lot of history there. But, the land no longer served the needs of an ex- panding church. The com- munity has seriously changed. Our clientele in that neighborhood are very few, and the land no longer served our purpose.
Church History
In 1906, Deacon J. C. Price and Deacon J. L. Stanley founded the church to meet the needs of African Americans residing in the West Hyde Park Area of town. Constructed on a par- cel of land, the first structure at its current site was built in 1946. The building was com- plete and service in the new church began in 1950. It was
renovated in 1978.
Recently, its congregation
celebrated its 110th Anniver- sary.
New church structure at 8525 N. 78th Street
FYI
County To Host Pearl Harbor Day Tribute
The Veterans Council of Hillsborough County, Inc. will honor veterans and survivors of World War II and Pearl Harbor at 11 a. m. on Monday, December 7th. The event will take place at Veterans Memorial Park and Rear. Adm. LeRoy Collins, Jr. Veterans Mu- seum, 3602 U. S. Highway 301 N., Tampa. The public is invited.
The Pearl Harbor Remembrance Tribute of the 74th anniversary of America’s entry into World War II will begin with the presenta- tion of colors by the Armwood High School Army JROTC cadets and a performance of the national anthem sung by Riverview High School Chorus.
The ceremony will honor veterans who served in World War II and Pearl Harbor and the POW/MIA Missing Man ceremony will commemorate those who have not yet returned home from duty.
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