Alesha Russell
NCCU Staff Writer
the Durham VOICE
thedurhamvoice@gmail.com
Some people live their lives as standard as possible: wake up, go to work, eat, sleep, and turn around and do it all over again the next day. John C. Fitzpatrick, Pastor of NECD’s One Love Ministries on Holloway Street is not one of those people.
Fitzpatrick is not your typical pastor. He is also a lawyer who cares deeply about his community holding events throughout the year to help NECD residents.
He received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
He specializes in criminal defense, personal injury, and family law. He has had clients from all over the NECD community especially around Liberty Street and Hyde Park.
His firm, The Law Offices of John C. Fitzpatrick is located in downtown Durham at 116 West Main St.
His spiritual calling came in 2000, after giving a sermon at Orange Grove Missionary Baptist Church. He had grown up attending church, but in 2003, he became an ordained minister. He was inspired to do this after leading a year-long Bible study group in his home.
Shortly after, he founded One Love Ministries which presently has 200 members, most of whom live in NECD.
“God chose me, he has a plan for everybody and it was my time to fill out,” said Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick came up with the name ‘One Love’ for the church because it has an affectionate and down-to-earth feel. The church is non-denominational and has a ‘come as you are’ feel, which means everyone is welcomed as they are.
“Pastor Fitzpatrick really is a good man,” said Linda Hinton, a church member. “He treats everybody with love.”
One Love conducts several events to help the NECD community, as well as anyone else who wants to come.
Every year the church throws a back-to-school shopping spree for children courtesy of sponsors. Church members take the children to places such as Old Navy.
The shopping spree usually takes care of about 80 children and even includes backpacks, as well as some school supplies. This year the kids received haircuts too. “Next year will be even bigger,” said Fitzpatrick.
One Love also has a free clothing store and a food bank at their 1107 Holloway St. location. It is open to everybody, especially the less fortunate.
The church throws a Thanksgiving dinner to help feed NECD and participates in programs such as Habitat for Humanity.
Throughout the NECD community, Fitzpatrick is known for being a great man, pastor, friend, and family man. He strives to instill faith in those who are confused, to instill hope in those who are lost.
Pastor Fitzpatrick would like everyone who is seeking to come to One Love Ministries on Sundays for service at 9:30 a.m. or 11 a.m.