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Rev. Jack, as he is known to congregants, is 39 years old, and in his first year at the United Palace, he has started programs for seniors and for children, and is committed to community partnerships. “Something is happening. I won’t try to put it into words. I’m just going to let it happen,” he said, during the service.
Story and photos by Sherry Mazzocchi
In a service with gospel songs, a Southern Baptist sermon, African drumming and a shamanic journey to another world, the United Palace Cathedral welcomed its new pastor, Rev. Jack. L. Bomar this past Sun., Oct. 30th.
During the four-hour service, local elected officials and religious leaders welcomed Rev. Jack, who is taking over the house that the Right Reverend Frederick J. Eikerenkoetter, or “Rev. Ike,” as he was commonly known, built.
Rev. Ike was the charismatic and flamboyant preacher who established his ministry in 1967 at the former Loew’s movie theatre at the corner of 175th St. and Broadway. He famously told congregants that money was not the root of all evil—it was the lack of it that causes problems. Criticized by outsiders for encouraging large cash donations, Rev. Ike nonetheless had a deep and loyal national following. During his heyday, Sundays at the United Palace were filled with music, songs and thousands of congregants.
Since his stroke in 2007 and death in 2009, the congregation contracted. On Sunday, about 400 people, mostly from out of town, attended the 44th anniversary of the church and installation service.
Among the many community leaders and elected officials that attended were United States Congressman Charles Rangel, New York State Assemblyman Herman “Denny” Farrell, and New York City Councilmembers Ydanis Rodriguez and Robert Jackson.
Rangel remembered Rev. Ike fondly, saying that he was inspired by him and missed him. Of Rev. Jack said Congressman Rangel, "He has proven that he loves God and that God loves him."
And the music and songs flowed.
“There is a sweet, sweet presence in this place,” said Bishop Barbara L. King, who delivered the homily. King, from the Hillside International Chapel and Truth Center in Atlanta, said she honored Rev. Ike as part of the church’s past.
“Rev. Jack is part of the present and future. He will take this church to a higher level,” she said.
King ordained Rev. Jack, 39, and described him as her “spiritual son.” Rev. Jack, who has been a minister at the cathedral for the past year, also has served in King’s ministry, as well as in the states of Tennessee, California, and Illinois, and even in Australia.
Rev. Jack is obtaining a Doctor of Ministry in Parish Revitalization and Building the Beloved Community at the McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago. In his first year at the United Palace, he has initiated partnerships within the community, starting a senior program and an after-school program. The church now offers services that are simultaneously translated into Spanish via headphones.
King beseeched the congregation to refrain from insisting that he be another Rev. Ike.
“Give him a chance to be all he can be. He can play piano, sing, dance and he can eat collard greens,” she said. “The best is yet to come. These seats will be filled.”
Bishop Xavier Eikerenkoetter, Rev. Ike’s son, led the installation service. Drummers in African garb provided the musical transformational energy as Rev. Jack ascended the stage. Invoking the imagery of Jesus’ death and resurrection, the bishop touched the new pastor’s hands and feet as if nailing him to the cross. Then he called on archangels and the four directions to assist in the ceremony.
“We are going down further into a sacred space now,” Bishop Xavier said.
Rev. Jack was laid out on the floor and completely covered with a traditional African cloth. The bishop shook a rattle over him like a shaman, proclaiming that the new pastor was experiencing an inter-dimensional right of passage and a transformation on the cellular level.
“We need to go forth with that new consciousness,” he said.
After the new pastor was uncovered and sat for a moment to collect himself, he was anointed with oils and presented with new vestments as rose petals dropped from the ceiling.
In response, the young pastor’s tear-stained face was beaming as he told the audience, “Something is happening. I won’t try to put it into words. I’m just going to let it happen,” he said.
After the service, Rev. Jack said he wasn’t expecting that type of ceremony but he felt it was like a deep spiritual death and rebirth.
“It was a total surrender,” he said.
Althea, a neighborhood resident, came after seeing the event advertised in a supermarket flyer. She used to go to services with her mother as a child, but hadn't been to the United Palace in decades.
"Today's service was incredible," she said.
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