Rev. Terrell Person (second from right) and his wife, Toylene, are shown with state Sen. Troy Singleton (far right) and Mount Laurel Mayor Nikitas Moustakas at Person’s retirement party last month.
Mount Laurel council passed a resolution at its April 7 meeting to commend retiring Rev. Terrell Person.
For 30 years, Person has served as pastor of Jacob’s Chapel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church on Elbo Lane. The structure was built in 1867 to replace the smaller Colemantown Meeting House, and it is the oldest Black church in Burlington County.
Named after Charles Coleman, an early church leader, the meeting house also served as a schoolhouse for Black children. Both edifices of the church played integral roles in history as stops along the Underground Railroad. A cemetery also located on the church property contains the graves of notable African American Civil War soldiers, as well as that of Dr. James Still, known as the Black Doctor of the Pines.
Through his ministry, Persons helped empower and enrich many families and was committed to bettering the community through projects and programs of his own.
Person has dedicated much of his time to serving as president of the Jacob’s Chapel Colemantown Foundation Inc., a nonprofit founded to support the preservation, study and interpretation of the chapel’s history. The foundation teaches that history through educational tours and historical reenactments performed at local events and schools.
The Project T.I.M.E. Mentor Program in Mount Laurel schools is another of Person’s many endeavors. It works closely with the disrict’s teachers and intervention specialists, matching trained community volunteers with elementary- and middle-school students. The program’s goal is to support local families and help improve student academic and social success.
Person has demostrated his support for the township countless times over the years. He visited its elementary schools to teach the history of the Still family and the Underground Railroad, participated in and showed support for various area events and was devoted to preserving and teaching the township’s history.
Township attorney George Morris commended Person and his wife, Toylene, at the meeting for their decades of community work.
“I’ve been around this town working in one capacity or another for years,” Morris said. “I think you are really one of the most influential people in the history of this township. You’ve helped and inspired so many people. I just didn’t want you to walk out the room without knowing how much you have meant to this township.
“You and your wife are phenomenal people.”
“We’ve been blessed to have you as part of this community,” noted Township Manager Meredith Riculfy. “I hope that both of you enjoy retirement, because you truly, truly deserve it.”
Mayor Nikitas Moustakas reflected on the turnout for Person’s March 22 retirement party, which he noted was an example of how beloved the couple is in the community.
“You are so loved, your retirement party was packed,” the mayor remarked. “I had the chance to speak along with (state) Sen. Troy Singleton and (the event) was amazing. (Toylene), thank you. I know you were with him every step of the way.
“Thank you both for all you’ve done for Mount Laurel.”
