Seattle officially honored one of the Central District’s most influential faith and community leaders on Sunday, unveiling honorary street signs recognizing Rev. Dr. Robert L. Manaway Sr. for more than four decades of service to the city and its Black community.
The new signs, designating the block of South Jackson Street between 28th and 29th avenues South as “Dr. RL Manaway, Sr. Way,” stand outside Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, where Manaway has served as senior pastor since 1983.
The unveiling marked the culmination of a recognition approved earlier this year by the Seattle City Council, which unanimously voted to establish the honorary designation in acknowledgment of Manaway’s longstanding leadership in the Central District.
During council deliberations, Councilmember Rob Saka described the designation as a fitting tribute to a community leader whose influence has extended far beyond the church.
“It is my distinct honor to make a few remarks about this proposal. This is an important piece of legislation that we are going to consider,” Saka said before the council approved the measure.
Seattle City Council President Joy Hollingsworth also praised Manaway’s decades of leadership and the role Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church has played in one of Seattle’s historically Black neighborhoods.
“I have been impressed obviously with Pastor Manaway and his leadership in our community. He has been the pastor of Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church since 1983, and couldn’t be more grateful for the foundation that he has set in our community,” Hollingsworth said.
Founded in 1950, Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church has long served as a spiritual, cultural and civic anchor in the Central District. Under Manaway’s leadership, the congregation has grown from about 125 members to more than 1,700 while expanding its mission beyond worship to include housing assistance, food security initiatives, outreach to people experiencing homelessness and support for individuals returning to their communities after incarceration.
Manaway has also served in leadership roles with regional and national Baptist organizations, extending his influence beyond Seattle through faith-based advocacy and community engagement.
Hollingsworth said honoring institutions and leaders with deep roots in the Central District is especially meaningful as Seattle continues to evolve.
“As we are continuing to build our city and our neighborhoods are changing and shifting, words matter. These cultural places matter to folks,” Hollingsworth said.
The honorary designation does not change the legal name of South Jackson Street or affect mailing addresses. Instead, the commemorative signs permanently recognize Manaway’s contributions along the block where Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church has served the community for generations.
The signs also symbolize the city’s recognition of the enduring role Black churches have played in Seattle’s history, serving not only as places of worship but also as centers for civic engagement, advocacy and community support during decades of change in the Central District.
