[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 65 (Friday, May 10, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E758-E759]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF GAINESVILLE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

                                 ______


                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 9, 1996

  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on May 14, 1871, an earnest group of 
east Texas Christians established the First Baptist Church of 
Gainesville, TX. On Sunday, May 19, 1996, First Baptist Church will 
celebrate its 125th anniverary--a testament to the hard work and 
dedication of its congregations and its pastors and to the ministry 
that First Baptist Church has provided in Gainesville and in Cooke 
County for more than a century.
  From its humble beginning amid frontier surroundings, First Baptist 
Church has flourished through both good times and bad. The church's 44 
founding members--some of whose ancestors are part of the present 
congregation--would be proud to see their church grow to its current 
roster of approximately 2,000 members. The church has occupied three 
buildings throughout its history. The first was destroyed by fire, and 
the second was replaced by the current facility in 1952. Since that 
time, as the congregation has continued to grow, the church has 
expanded to encompass a full city block and portions of two others. 
There have been 32 pastors of First Baptist Church, including the 
present pastor, Dr. Bennie Slack.
  First Baptist Church has always had an active ministry. The church 
was active in helping meet the needs of members of the armed 
services, during World War II. Its leaders were instrumental in 
organizing the current food collection program for Cooke County, and 
its congregation continues to support a strong missions program. First 
Baptist has a large and active youth group, a strong senior adult 
group, large choir, and strong music program--in addition to many other 
activities and programs for members of all ages.

  Mr. Speaker, religious freedom was a principle upon which our Nation 
was established. Our Founding Fathers--and the founding

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members of First Baptist Church--would be proud to see this principle 
flourishing today in the churches of America and in communities like 
Gainesville, TX. Likewise, the present church members look back in 
appreciation for their rich heritage and for the hard work and 
dedication of all those who have come before them. They also look to 
the future--to the ministry and the opportunities for service in the 
years to come.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege as the Representative for the Fourth 
District of Texas to pay tribute to the First Baptist Church of 
Gainesville on the occasion of its 125th anniversary, and I ask my 
colleagues to join me in extending our best wishes to the First Baptist 
Church for a future that will be as blessed as its past.

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