The Homegoing Celebration has been scheduled
We celebrate the life of Rev. Thomas Wendell Foster
(February 14, 1924 – September 3, 2019)
The Homegoing Celebration has been scheduled as follows:
At the Walker Memorial Baptist Church
120 E 169th Street, Bronx, New York 10452
Viewing: Friday, September 13, 2019: 4:00 – 8:00 PM and
Saturday, September 14, 2019: 9:00 – 10:00 AM.
Service: Saturday, September 14, 2019: 10:00 AM
Bronx elected officials and advocates, this week, remember Rev. Wendell Foster — the first black city elected official in the Bronx and a figure in the civil rights movement — as a mentor and pioneer who paved the way for the Black community to ascend into politics. Rev. Foster was elected to the City Council in 1977.
“Rev. Wendell Foster was a pioneer, and someone who helped to make The Bronx and our nation a better place,” Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. said in a prepared statement. “As the first Black elected representing the Bronx in the City Council, Rev. Foster was an historic figure in our borough and a dedicated public servant who inspired a whole generation of elected officials to serve their community.” Foster held the 16th District seat in the Council — which covers neighborhoods like Morrisania, Highbridge, Claremont and Concourse — from 1978 to 2001. He had previously run for Council twice before his election in 1977. He was often recognized during Black History Month for his accomplishments.
Rev. Foster was ordained in the AME Church in 1953 and founded Christ Church in 1965, and eventually settled in the Morrisania section of the Bronx where he served faithfully until 2017. He was devoted to his Christian journey and was loved and respected by his congregation. Over the years, the church has provided service to the surrounding community with a food pantry program, housing, health and educational programs. Rev. Foster was an advocate for building more parks and creating open spaces in the neighborhoods and worked tirelessly in supporting low-income housing programs in the Bronx community.
The Metropolitan Association honored Rev. Foster at a Gala in June, 2018 for his many years as a servant of God. Rev. Foster is survived by his wife, of nearly 63 years, Helen Foster and his two daughters, Rebekah (member of the Metro Board of Directors) and Helen Diane .
Condolences can be mailed to the family at: 1225 Woodycrest Avenue, Bronx, NY 10452.
