The Right Reverend Norman Lazarus Prescott

Bishop Norman L. Prescott was born to Cyril and Eleanor Rowe Prescott on February 16, 1930, in Brooklyn, New York.

He was orphaned at age 15, but a friend of his, James Johnson, brother of Betty L. Johnson, told his mother about him and she invited him into her home. As a result of her witness, Bishop Prescott was saved in 1947. Shortly thereafter, he was called to preach. He was licensed as a minister in 1948 and ordained as an Elder in 1953 in the Eastern New York Jurisdiction where the late Bishop O. M. Kelly served as jurisdictional prelate. He was a member of Washington Temple Church of God In Christ, pastored by the late Bishop F. D. Washington, where he served as Youth Minister, District Sunday School Superintendent, District YPWW President and Current Events Reporter for the Jurisdiction.

In 1963, Bishop Washington sent him to Trinity Temple COGIC, Montclair to provide pastoral support. In 1967, he was installed as pastor. Bishop Prescott served Trinity Temple a pastor until May 2022. He continued to attend until his health prevented him.

After several years in New Jersey First Jurisdiction under Bisho Esau Courtney, Bishop Prescott served under Bishop Chandler D. Owens in the Garden State Jurisdiction. Under his leadership, he served as District Superintendent, Executive Committee Chairman and Administrative Assistant.

On November 14, 1994, during the 87th General Assembly of the Church Of God In Christ, then Elder Norman Prescott was elevated to the Office of Jurisdictional Bishop, leading the New Jersey Third Jurisdiction until 2016.

Bishop Prescott received his foundational biblical training at Gospel Tabernacle Bible Institute, Brooklyn, NY and pursued further studies at Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. In 1972, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity from Miller University, Camden, NJ. He served as a volunteer chaplain at the Essex Country Hospital, Cedar Grove, New Jersey and as Vice President of the Montclair African-American Clergy Association (MAACA).

Of the many mentors who have influenced his life, Bishop Prescott is most grateful for his former pastor, the late Bishop Frederick. Douglas Washington, and the late Bishop Chandler David Owens, former Presiding Bishop of the Church Of God In Christ Worldwide.

On March 28, 1949, Bishop Prescott married the late Betty L. Johnson. They were married for 69 years. Their union produced two daughters: the late Esmé M. Prescott and Norma Prescott.

Bishop Prescott leaves to mourn his passing but also rejoice at his homegoing, daughter Norma, grandson Daniel W. Prescott, sister Eleanor Nesby, nephews Kip Holley and Thomas J. Johnson III (Beverly), his Trinity Temple family and many sons and daughters in the faith.

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His godly ones

(Psalm 116.15 NASB).

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