[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 142 (Wednesday, September 13, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1772-E1773]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  THE BICENTENNIAL OF THE PEE DEE CONFERENCE OF THE AFRICAN METHODIST 
                         EPISCOPAL ZION CHURCH

                                 ______


                        HON. JOHN M. SPRATT, JR.

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 13, 1995
  Mr. SPRATT. Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize an event of special 
importance in my 5th Congressional District of South Carolina. On 
October 1, 1995, the Pee Dee Conference of the African Methodist 
Episcopal Zion Church in South Carolina will commemorate the 
bicentennial of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church.

[[Page E 1773]]

  Nearly 200 years ago, certain individuals decided to leave the John 
Street Methodist Church in New York because of discrimination and 
denial of religious liberties. These individuals organized what was to 
become the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. Zion was added to 
their name in 1848 to distinguish this denomination from other African 
Methodist bodies. The Right Reverend George E. Battle, Jr., bishop of 
the Pee Dee Conference, has declared a week of celebration for the week 
of October 1-8, 1995, to commemorate the founding of their 
denomination.
  I congratulate the many churches of the Pee Dee Conference as they 
celebrate their 200th anniversary and commend them for having kept the 
faith, and morally and spiritually nourished individuals and families 
within their congregations, and for having been vital forces in their 
communities. I extend to the Pee Dee Conference of the African 
Methodist Episcopal Zion Church my best wishes for their next century 
of service.


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