The corner of Bryn Mawr Road and Wichita Way in the Upper Hill District will forever be known as “Bishop Jones Way.”
The late Bishop Wade Jones, who was pastor of First Emmanuel Tabernacle Church for 57 years until his death on Dec. 12, 2025, was honored with a street dedication ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.
That wasn’t all. The late Bishop Wade Jones was honored with a military banner from Eric Howze’s organization “No Hero Left Behind.” The banner proudly hangs near First Emmanuel Tabernacle Church.
Among those celebrating these two occasions were his son, David Jones, daughter, Sandra Boissonniere, Bishop Jones’ widow, Alta Jones, and a host of family, friends, church members and those from the Hill District community.
Bishop Wade Jones was born on Sept. 24, 1928, in Woodward, S.C., as the eldest child to Wade and Rebecca Jones. He was married to Alta Jones for 67 years before his passing in December 2025 at age 97. He served honorably in the U.S. Army during the Korean War as a demolition expert from 1953 to 1957, and later worked at the H.J. Heinz company for 36 years.
Pittsburgh City Council declared Sept. 24, 2026, as “Bishop Wade Jones Day” in the City of Pittsburgh. Council noted that “Bishop Jones’ spiritual journey deepened in 1957 when he was baptized, a dedication to ministry that led him to serve in various capacities at First Emmanuel Church, including custodian, choir member, deacon and an eventual appointment to pastor, a role he faithfully served for 57 years.”
Council also noted that Bishop Jones led the First Emmanuel congregation in the construction of a new edifice at 671 Bryn Mawr Road, which became a dedicated sanctuary in 1982.
Bishop Wade Jones created First Stop Childcare, housed inside the church, which provided essential services to families in the area, and supported the unification of churches in the Hill District.
“Yesterday on the grounds of First Emmanuel Tabernacle Apostolic Church in Pittsburgh’s Hill District, I joined a huge crowd of well-wishers to witness the street renaming ceremony honoring the life, leadership, community service, and pastoral leadership of Bishop Wade Jones (RIH)!” wrote Pastor Gil Duncan IV on his Facebook page on Sept. 27, a day after the ceremony. “What a fitting gesture by the City of Pittsburgh for a man who devoted his life in the service of others.”
On Jan. 3, 2026, a standing-room-only homegoing service was held for Bishop Wade Jones at First Emmanuel Tabernacle Church. Among those who attended were former Pittsburgh mayor Ed Gainey and the legendary Bishop T.D. Jakes. When Bishop Jakes learned of Bishop Jones’ passing, he wrote on his Instagram page: “I have known Bishop Wade Jones most of my life. He was a bishop of great integrity, a robust sense of humor and commitment to the word of God! He brought many busloads to my storefront when no one knew my name. I’ve preached for him countless times. Even in later years, we talked often. I will sorely miss him! Seldom do relationships endure the test of time! For over fifty years we have known each other. My condolences to his widow, his entire family and the church. Heaven has called him to his just reward! I will miss him!”
