Sing Amen, Rev. R.O. Davis: 47 Years of Service Celebrated

CAPE MAY — Friends, officials, family and members of Macedonia Baptist Church celebrated the 100th anniversary of the church and honored Rev. Robert O. Davis and his wife Carolyn for 47 years as pastor.
Rev. Davis retired earlier in the year as pastor. The event Oct. 4 filled the top floor of the Grand Hotel of Cape May.
Rev. Willis E. Barry, new pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church, opened the celebration dinner with a prayer and Rev. Davis closed the event three hours later by singing “Amen, Amen.”
Cape May Mayor Edward J. Mahaney Jr. and West Cape May Mayor Pamela Kaithern presented proclamations to Rev. Davis. Mahaney presented him the key to the city.
Sen. Jeff Van Drew and Assemblymen Matt Milam and Nelson Albano (D-1st) honored Rev. Davis and his wife with resolutions from the state Senate and House.
“How good you have made us feel in our heart and in our soul,” said Van Drew.
County Freeholder Gerald Thornton thanked Rev. Davis for helping families in need, time and time again.
Florence Carter gave a history of Macedonia Baptist Church noting it was incorporated in 1895 when it met in a home on Lafayette Street. On Sept. 29, 1909, the congregation moved to its present location for a purchase price of $200. The deal included the land the Franklin Street School stands upon which the church sold to the city in 1927.
Lois Smith sang “He Touched Me” and Bernadette Matthews offered “If I Can Help Somebody.” The Macedonia Choir, which was led many years by Rev. Davis, performed “Ezekiel Saw the Wheel” and other spirituals.
Joseph Cirrinicione, superintendent of Lower Township Elementary Schools, drew laughs when he said he thought the dinner would be a roast.
“Truth be told, this man is 100 years old,” he said. “He’s as old as the church.”
Cirrinicione said the Reverend and Mrs. Davis served in the school system for over 30 years. He said Rev. Davis was his confidant, mentor and one of his closest friends.
Dr. Ted Johnson, retired superintendent of Middle Township Schools, said while the Reverend was recognized for his deep, beautiful singing voice, Carolyn was a better singer. Johnson said he stood in between Carolyn and Lois Smith as a member of the choir.
“Even though he wears the pants, she is the belt that keeps the pants up,” joked Johnson.
He said Rev. Davis’ “powerful, resonant bass voice let the Devil have it.” Johnson said Davis released the spirit of almighty God in his preaching.
“God gave us you two as a spiritual gift, as an example of how we were to use the talents He gave,” he said.
Lynda Townes and trustees of Macedonia Baptist Church gave Rev. Davis plaques in acknowledgment of his dedicated service for pasturing “the little church with the great big heart,” for 47 years.
The trustees presented Carolyn with a plaque for her work and dedication.
Kendall Davis, a son of Reverend and Mrs. Davis said his parents taught him to work hard, practice what you preach, to lead by example and to give more than what you get back. He said his mother took over as organist when they arrived in Cape May and helped hold the church together.
Daniel L. Money thanked Rev. Davis on behalf of every family in the community that he touched.