By Voice and Viewpoint Staff
Saturday morning was filled with excitement at the corner of Roswell and Derby Streets in Emerald Hills. Members of the Greater Life Church and community members were gathered for a Street Name Change Ceremony.
The City of San Diego had granted permission to change the name, or at least add a “new” name to Derby Street. The street name above “Derby Street” now reads “Honorary Pastor Willie E. Manley WaySt.” The name change was readily agreed to, according to Pastor Nate Stewart who led off the ceremony.
Pastor Manley was the founder of the church which has occupied most of that block for decades. However, the church recently relocated to a new property in Lemon Grove and has placed this particular site up for sale in order to complete the purchase of its new location. Pastor Stewart said the present site could not sustain the church growth. However, the name change will remain, no matter what happens to the property.
The Manley family was present including Rev. Cedric Manley and family who flew in from Texas for the occasion. Rev. Cedric Manley took over as pastor following his father’s death. Councilmember Montgomery Steppe, who was attending the State’s Reparations Task Force meeting in Oakland, was represented by Mr. Bruce Williams from her staff who spoke on her behalf.
