Mayor Rita Ali, City Of Peoria | City Of Peoria website
Mayor Rita Ali, City Of Peoria | City Of Peoria website
An honorary street naming ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Thursday, October 17, at the intersection of Phelps Street and Madison Avenue in Peoria. The event aims to honor Pastor Richard K. Hammonds, who has served the community for 45 years and founded the Gospel Experience Church.
The location was selected due to its proximity to the Gospel Experience Church at 3101 NE Madison Avenue. The ceremony will feature speakers including Mayor Rita Ali, Councilman Tim Riggenbach, Gospel Experience Church Administrative Assistant Ocelee Qualls, and Pastor Hammonds himself.
Pastor Hammonds established the Gospel Experience Church in 1979, initially holding services at the YMCA before relocating to a site on Spring Street. Over time, the church expanded and settled at its current address on NE Madison Avenue. Pastor Hammonds has been preaching for over four decades.
Beyond his role at the church, Pastor Hammonds engages in various speaking engagements both within Peoria and beyond. He is also recognized as a community advocate through initiatives such as food drives, scholarships for Peoria High School seniors, and beautification projects.
The City of Peoria plans to share a video of the event on its YouTube page.
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