Pittsburgh Renames Intersection For Bishop Wade Jones
The city honored the late pastor on September 26, 2026, by dedicating an intersection in the Upper Hill District.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in African-American
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Pittsburgh officially renamed the intersection of Bryn Mawr Road and Wichita Way to Bishop Jones Way following a ceremony on September 26, 2026. The dedication follows a City Council resolution designating September 24, 2026, as Bishop Wade Jones Day.
Why it matters
The renaming serves to recognize the legacy of Bishop Wade Jones, who provided 57 years of spiritual leadership at the First Emmanuel Tabernacle Church. City leaders sought to honor his extensive community service alongside his professional contributions to Pittsburgh.
Bishop Wade Jones served as pastor for 57 years and held a 36-year tenure at the H.J. Heinz company. His First Emmanuel Tabernacle Church congregation completed its current sanctuary building in 1982.
The players
Bishop Wade Jones
He was a long-serving pastor of the First Emmanuel Tabernacle Church and a veteran who worked for 36 years at the H.J. Heinz company.
No Hero Left Behind
This organization supports veterans and provided a military banner to honor the late pastor during the dedication ceremony.
The details
The tribute included the installation of a military banner provided by No Hero Left Behind to commemorate his U.S. Army service as a demolition expert from 1953 to 1957. The ceremony took place on the grounds of the First Emmanuel Tabernacle Apostolic Church, where he led services for over half a century.
Timeline
September 24, 1928: Bishop Wade Jones was born in Woodward, S.C.
1953-1957: Bishop Jones served in the U.S. Army as a demolition expert.
December 12, 2025: Bishop Wade Jones passed away at the age of 97.
January 3, 2026: The homegoing service for Bishop Wade Jones was held.
September 26, 2026: City officials hosted the official street renaming ceremony.
Culture Shift
The naming of Bishop Jones Way follows the documented trend of cities using public thoroughfares to memorialize the contributions of long-serving community figures. This reflects a broader societal move to honor local leaders who defined specific neighborhoods over decades.
Residents and visitors in the Upper Hill District will now navigate the intersection of Bryn Mawr Road and Wichita Way under its new honorary designation. The change serves as a permanent landmark highlighting the local history of the First Emmanuel Tabernacle Church.
The takeaway
Honoring local leaders through public infrastructure helps preserve neighborhood history for future generations. Residents can support such efforts by engaging with local community organizations that coordinate memorial tributes.
Further reading
Learn more about local community honors in the Pittsburgh African-American section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by New Pittsburgh Courier.
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