Reverend Dr. Lorenzo Augustus Lynch, Sr., was born in Oak City, North Carolina, on April 21, 1932, to the late Augustus Claude and Carrie Burnette Lynch. He departed this world on January 22, 2023, after a brief illness. In between those two dates, he led a life of unparalleled service and commitment to his faith, to civil rights and to the cause of justice and equality.
Lorenzo Lynch was the fourth generation of Baptist ministers in his family and in 2023 celebrated 73 years in the ministry. He was licensed to preach in 1950 by the Lynch’s Chapel Baptist Church of Oak City, North Carolina, under the pastorate of his father the late Reverend Augustus C. Lynch. That year he was also ordained to the Gospel Ministry by the Middle Ground Baptist Association. Prior to entering the ministry, he served as Church School Superintendent, Teacher, Youth Chairman and Deacon in his home church.
Lorenzo went on to earn his Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Divinity from Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina. It was there he met his wife, the late Lorine Estelle Harris Lynch. Inseparable since college, they were married for 65 years. Even as a student, Lorenzo stood up for equality. While in college, upon being directed to a “colored” waiting room at a doctor’s office, Lorenzo immediately left the office rather than acquiesce to that indignity. Lorenzo continued his education by studying as a special student (summer) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC, and Duke University School of Divinity in Durham, North Carolina. He pursued graduate studies at Boston University Graduate School of Theology in Boston, Massachusetts from 1957 – 58 and again from 1967 – 68.
In 1957 and ‘58, he served as teacher in the Release Time Religious Education program sponsored by the Boston Council of Weekday Religious Education. He was an Associate Instructor at Duke University Divinity School from 1969 to 1970.
Lorenzo Lynch leaves a remarkable legacy of pastoral service. He began as Assistant Pastor to his late father at Lynch’s Chapel Baptist Church and Jones Chapel Baptist Church in Palmyra, North Carolina. He also served as Assistant Pastor at People’s Baptist Church, Boston, MA. He has pastored the following Baptist congregations in North Carolina: Davis Chapel, Washington; Endstreet, Scotland Neck; Mr. Zion, Arapahoe; St. Delight, Nashville; Reed’s Chapel, Fountain; Mt. Olive, Ayden; Bazzel Creek, Fuquay Varina; Providence Baptist Church, Greensboro; White Rock Baptist Church, Durham; and Beacon Light Missionary Baptist Church, Durham.
A dynamic and gifted minister, Lorenzo was equally devoted to fighting for justice and equality. While at Providence Baptist Church, Lorenzo opened the church to the North Carolina A&T students conducting the sit-ins in downtown Greensboro for their planning sessions, one of only two Greensboro ministers to do so. He took his young children, Lorenzo, Jr. and Loretta, to these meetings so they could see young people who were changing the world. He was committed to increasing Black participation in the political system and ran, unsuccessfully, for Guilford County Commissioner.
For Lorenzo, preaching and service were intertwined. While at Providence, he led the congregation to establish an annual Human Relations and Family Life Institute, an employment center, a church library, and a licensed day care center. He also served as Pastor-Advisor to the Baptist Student Union at NC A&T, was a member of the Board of Directors of the United Southern Christian Fellowship at the University, a member of the Guilford County Young Democrats Club, a member of the Board of Directors of Greensboro’s Human Relations Commission, a member of the Board of Directors of Cumberland County Courts, Inc. (a non-profit FHA housing project for middle-income families) and preacher and counselor at Palmer Memorial Institute in Sedalia, North Carolina.
While at White Rock Baptist Church in Durham, Lorenzo led the congregation in the land acquisition, planning, fund-raising and construction of its over 38,000-square-foot church building, a project funded in excess of one million dollars. Contributions to the congregation tripled during his tenure. During his tenure, White Rock hosted such notable guest speakers as Vernon Jordan, Jr. and brought in the North Carolina Symphony to partner with the Senior
Choir for the Seven Last Words of Christ service. Lorenzo also pressed for equality and inclusion within the church. He invited women ministers to serve as guest preachers when many of his colleagues would not. By the time of his departure, the historic congregation had over one hundred trustees, twenty of whom were women, and over thirty deacons, seven of whom were women. Lorenzo often commented that of all the changes he had brought about in his congregations, the elevation of women to these positions generated the greatest controversy.
In Durham, Lorenzo continued to be a leader in human relations, civic, political, and social welfare activities. He served as president of the Durham Ministers Alliance, member of the Board of Directors – Senior Citizens Coordination Council, member of the Board of Advisors to the Durham County Mental Health Center, member of the Board of Directors of the Durham Chapter of the North Carolina Symphony, Chair of the Economic Development Committee of the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People, Chairman of Precinct 12 of Durham County, and member of the Executive Committee of the Durham County Democratic Party. He also served as an appointed member of the Jury Commission of Durham County, the Chairperson of the Hope Valley Democratic Precinct, member of the Samuel D. Cooke Society at Duke University, and member of the East Cedar Grove Baptist Association. He also served as president of the N.C. Tenure in Higher Education Defense Fund and did extensive work on tenure-related issues. He is listed in Who’s Who in Black America. Continuing to press for greater Black political participation, he ran, unsuccessfully, for Mayor of Durham in 1973. In May of 1982, Shaw University Divinity School conferred upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity. At the time of his passing, he was a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Throughout his life, he served as a teacher, preacher, pastor, civil rights advocate, humanitarian and visionary religious leader.
Lorenzo and Lorine Lynch were blessed with three children. Their oldest son, Lorenzo Augustus, Jr., graduated from high school one year early and served as a U.S. Navy SEAL. Their middle child, Loretta Elizabeth, graduated from Harvard College and Harvard Law School and served as the 83rd Attorney General of the United States. Their youngest son, Leonzo Daniel, graduated from UNC Greensboro, Duke Divinity School and the United Theological Seminary and is the Senior Pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church and the former President of the General Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, Inc.
Lorenzo was preceded in death by his wife, Lorine, and son, Lorenzo, Jr. Those left to celebrate his life include his sisters, Delores Jenkins and Dorothy Hairston; his brother, Burnette Lynch; his daughter, Loretta, and son-in-law, Stephen Hargrove; his son, Leonzo, and daughter-in-law, NiCole Williams Lynch; his grandchildren, Kia Absalom and Ryan Hargrove; his great grandson, Carmelo Absalom, and several nieces, nephews and a host of other loving relatives and friends.
Loretta,
So sorry to hear about your Father’s passing. He was a good, brave man and a great representative of the generation that made our lives possible. I will think on him and you, especially as we approach Black History Month - he was a significant part of our story. I hope your tears will be replaced by fond memories soon.
You and your family are in my thoughts,
Eric Holder
82nd Attorney General of the United States
THE ORDER OF DIVINE WORSHIP
Rev. Reginald W. Sharpe, Jr., Presiding Fellowship Baptist Church, Chicago, IL
Opening Hymn “Hold To God’s Unchanging Hand” Combined Celebration Choir
Invocation
Scripture Lesson
Bishop John J. Wilkins, Jr., Cousin, Raleigh, NC
Ezekiel 33:1-7 KJV
Rev. Elvis Jones, Nephew and Pastor, Lily of The Valley Baptist Church Everetts, NC
Scripture Lesson
Romans 10:11-15 KJV and Revelation 7:9-17 KJV
Min. Joy Smith, Associate Minister, Lee’s Crossroad Baptist Church
Wendell, NC - Granddaughter of the late Dr. J. J. Johnson
Prayer of Comfort Bishop Sean Bell, Cousin and Pastor, Greater Paradise Christian Center, Baltimore, MD
Selection “When The Gates Swing Open” Combined Celebration Choir
Remarks and Reflections of Life Videos
The Honorable Loretta E. Lynch, Daughter
83rd United States Attorney General
Video: “The Prophet, The Pastor, The Preacher”
Selection “It’s Getting Late In The Evening”
Bishop Sir Walter L. Mack, Jr., Pastor, Union Baptist Church
Winston-Salem, NC - Son of the late Dr. Sir Walter Mack, Sr.
Eulogy
Dr. Leonzo D. Lynch
Selection ...“What Are They Doing in Heaven Today?”
Son, Senior Pastor, Ebenezer Baptist Church
Selection “When I’ve Done The Best I Can” Combined Celebration Choir
Closing Prayer
Benediction
Dr. William Moore, Pastor, Tenth Memorial Baptist Church Philadelphia, PA
Recessional “I Want To Take A Ride” Combined Celebration Choir
Repast Family and Out of Town Guests EBC Multipurpose Room
“For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”
II Timothy 4:6-8 KJV
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
Family • Ministers • The Deacons and Trustees of Ebenezer Baptist Church
HONORARY FLORAL BEARERS
Family • Ministers Wives • The Deaconess of Ebenezer Baptist Church
SPECIAL THANK YOU
The family acknowledges with deep appreciation the UNC Health System medical staff along with the devoted home health nursing assistants for their compassion and care for our beloved father.
THE BRIDGE BUILDER
An old man going a lone highway, Came, at the evening cold and gray, To a chasm vast and deep and wide. Through which was flowing a sullen tide The old man crossed in the twilight dim, The sullen stream had no fear for him; But he turned when safe on the other side And built a bridge to span the tide.
“Old man,” said a fellow pilgrim near, “You are wasting your strength with building here; Your journey will end with the ending day, You never again will pass this way; You’ve crossed the chasm, deep and wide, Why build this bridge at evening tide?”
The builder lifted his old gray head; “Good friend, in the path I have come,” he said, “There followed after me to-day A youth whose feet must pass this way. This chasm that has been as naught to me To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be; He, too, must cross in the twilight dim; Good friend, I am building this bridge for him!”
By Will Allen DromgooleINTERMENT
Monday, February 6, 2023 at Noon
Markham Memorial Gardens
4826 Trenton Road Chapel Hill, NC 27517