Honorary street name designations are intended to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to the community. The designation is a temporary assignment of the honorarium and shall not interfere with the official name of the street. Honorary Street Designations do not change the official name of the street, as they are only symbolic.

Proposal 

Current Name: East Broad

Proposed Honorary Name: “Rev. Matthew Southall Brown, Sr. Way”

Location: East Broad between Hartridge and Nicoll Streets

This item has met all the requirements of Article E: Naming of Public Property.

Statement of Reason - Community Contribution (as submitted by the petitioner, additional details in attachment) 

“If history is biography, then the history of the Civil Rights Movement in my home town of Savannah, Georgia is the biography of Rev. Matthew Southall Brown, Sr.” Former Congressman John Barrow. “For many of us he was father, mentor, confidant, encourager and trailblazer. His branches are too many to count and the loss to our community is enormous. The teacher has left the classroom.”  The Honorable Mayor Van Johnson.The life of Rev. Matthew Southall Brown, Sr. is exemplified in the quotes printed above and the enormous outpouring of testimonies from people of all walks of life, races and nationalities, who shared similar comments of his inspiration. He was lovingly known as Pastor Brown by his congregation at St. John Baptist Church. He became known as the “Pastors’ Pastor,” Dean of Pastors and as the “Prolific Preacher.” 

Rev. Brown was born and educated in Savannah, Georgia. His parents Mr. Christopher and Mrs. Helen R. Brown owned a duplex at 519 and 521 Hartridge Street, where he and his sibling played and spent their youth. No one could have foretold that by divine inspiration, he would become Pastor of St. John (The Mighty Fortress) Missionary Baptist Church, located on Hartridge Street. He served the community through his ministry with love and concern for its citizens. He served with dignity, respect, demonstrating character and led many to follow Christ. His selfless dedication to others was the hallmark of his life.

He became friend, pastor, confidant and community leader while serving as Pastor of St. John The Baptist Church. The Hartridge Street area was enhanced because of his keen insight and the work he did in the community.
Community Acquisitions and Properties:

• A facility for the elderly and handicapped “The St. John Villa,” developed under his leadership in collaboration with the Housing and Development Corporation of Savannah, in 1986.
• The “Matthew Southall Brown, Sr. Learning and Resource Center,” was completed in 1988.
• The “Matthew Southall Brown, Sr. Education Center” evolved from the purchase of two vacant existing houses, located next door to the church. The Education, Learning and Resource Centers served as meeting and research spaces for the church and community.
• A computer Lab for the church and surrounding community was housed in one of the homes restored by the church on Hartridge Street. All age groups were served.

When the church was destroyed by fire in 1993, he did not leave the community in blight. He, with the congregation continued momentum, growth and outreach. His mantra “We Will Rebuild,” energized the members of St. John, the community and supporters across the United States.

This item was unanimously approved by the Historic Sites and Monuments Commission on December 5, 2024.

Approval