A Queens woman made history at a Harlem church Sunday night. That is when Rev. Keith Roberson, pastor of the Southern Baptist Church, and more than a dozen ministers from around the city ordained Cambria Heights resident Eva Duzant.
Duzant is the first woman to be ordained as a minister in the church’s 90 year history. Southern Baptist Church is located at 12-16 W. 108th St., between Central Park West and Manhattan Ave. and has a membership of about 350.
Duzant, 64, a former math teacher at Brian Piccolo Middle School in Far Rockaway, Queens, is president of the Cambria Heights Development Corp.,. A certified public accountant, Duzant is owner of E.G. Edwards & Associates, a tax and accounting firm in Cambria Heights and a Bachelors of Science in accounting and taxation and a masters degree in education from St. John’s University.
“At one point I wanted to leave that church because I was told I would never be ordained there,” Duzant said in an interview. “But my mentor, Rev. J. G. McCann of St. Luke Baptist Church (also in Harlem) said God had me there for a reason.”
Rev. Betty Spencer, Pastor James Kilgore, and Pastor Peter Wilson gave Duzant a communion kit, hymn book, and Bible before Roberson presented her with her ordination certificate.
She will preach the 11 a.m. service Sunday, March 11 at Greater Calvary Church, 4355 W. 124th Street, and the 10:30 a.m. service at Southern on March 18.
The Southern Baptist Church website is http://southernbaptistchurchnyc.org/home.html.
Submit your newstip or news photos
