The Rev. Edward Arrington to be installed as pastor of Metropolitan Baptist Church

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The Rev. Edward Arrington II will be installed at 4 p.m. June 7 as pastor of Metropolitan Baptist Church, 351 W. Rayen Ave.

He is known as “Rev. Ed the Jazzy Preacher” because of his jazzy style of gospel music performances on his saxophone and his direction of band performances at New Falls High School, and the former Rayen and South High schools of Youngstown.

The Rev. Dr. Walter J. Arrington, pastor of Peoples Baptist Church of Canton, and brother of the Rev. Mr. E. Arrington, will conduct the installation service.

A service at 10:30 a.m. will feature the Rev. Dr. Frank L. Hearns of Houston, who is a “father in the ministry” to the Rev. Mr. E. Arrington.

A native of Massillon and graduate of Washington High School, Mr. Arrington comes from a family of preachers. His parents were the late Rev. Eddie and Annie Arrington. He served as associate pastor of Peoples Baptist Church with his brother.

Mr. Arrington earned a bachelor of science degree in music education and a bachelor of fine and applied arts degree in music performance from the University of Akron and a master of arts in music education from Ohio State University.

Mr. Arrington was ordained Oct. 5, 1997, under the Rev. Dr. Hearns, at Second Baptist Church of Warren, where he preached his trial sermon, “Hand Picked by God,” on March 21, 1993. He received a number of certificates from Second Baptist Church School of Religious Studies under Dr. Hearns.

In addition to serving as the band director at Newton Falls, South and Rayen high schools during his 30 years in education, Mr. Arrington earned the 1991 Parent Teacher Association Award at South and the 1992 Teacher of the Year Award from the Youngstown City Schools.

Since his retirement as a music educator, Mr. Arrington has recorded a number of gospel or praise recordings, on which he performs jazzy versions of such songs as “I Really Love the Lord” and “Oh, How I Love the Lord” on his alto and soprano saxophones.

Mr. Arrington said among objectives of his ministry at Metropolitan will be to expand the outreach program of the church.

Mr. Arrington is married to the former Shiela J. Henderson. They have a daughter, Cel’cee LaRae Arrington and six grandchildren.

Metropolitan Baptist was organized Dec. 8, 1960, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Christian, 365 W. Myrtle Ave., and later acquired its current church building. The Rev. Henry J. Pippens was the first pastor, and the first service was Dec. 18, 1970.