The large green and white highway signs reads “Rev. Alfred Young Jr. Memorial Avenue.”

It was unveiled April 9 at the Covington City Council meeting as part of a tribute to a community leader described by Councilman Jimmy Inman as someone who “never lost sight of the man he was chosen to be.”

Young, who died in August of 2022 at the age of 66, was hailed as a man of great faith and compassion who “brought people of all races together and had a lasting impact on the city through leadership, ministry, love and friendship,” according to a resolution approved unanimously by the City Council.

“This is certainly well deserved and well overdue,” Council President Mark Verret said.

A host of Young’s friends and family members were on hand at the council meeting to see the resolution approved and the sign unveiled. Mayor Mark Johnson said the sign will be erected at a yet to be scheduled public ceremony near 30th Avenue.

Young founded three nondenominational churches across the northshore, beginning his ministry with The Church of Christ Holiness USA in Covington. In 1989, the New Orleans native founded Faith Bible Church of Covington, which became a beloved part of the community, and led that church for 26 years.

In 2002, Young also founded Covenant Christian Church in Covington and helmed that one for two decades.

Despite his ministries, he somehow found time to start Upward Community Services to provide citizens with a summer camp, day care and after-school programs, and drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs.

Faced with very limited resources, Young relied on church sponsorships, fundraising, and public support to develop the Upward programs. As a result of his efforts, the day care center initially was able to charge struggling parents a mere $25 a week for child care.

Young earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Union Baptist Theology Seminary in New Orleans and was a board member of the Children’s Advocacy Center and Youth Service Bureau in Covington. In 1995, he received the Mayor's Service Award in Covington and was given the St. Tammany Alliance for Good Government Civic award in 1999.

Just before the resolution vote, Verret said he’d heard that Young was often referred to in the community simply as “man,” a reference that was later confirmed by the Rev. Alfred Young III, the honoree’s son.

“And he was (a man) in every meaningful way,” Verret said.