[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 155 (Friday, November 7, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2202]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         CONGRATULATIONS TO MT. ZION MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 6, 1997

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is my great pleasure to congratulate 
Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Hammond, IN, as it prepares to celebrate its 
78th anniversary on Sunday, November 16, 1997. I would also like to 
take this opportunity to commend Rev. Doctor A.R. Burns and the members 
of 78th Anniversary Committee, Yvonne Alexander, Shirley Sheppard, Ruby 
Peppers, Paul Lewis, Leo Harwell, and Jennifer Collins, for the hard 
work they have put forth in organizing this special event. The 
anniversary festivities will begin with a church service at 4 p.m., and 
will feature an exciting program of guest speakers.
  A church of very modest beginnings, Mt. Zion was founded in 1919 by a 
group of Christian believers who desired to establish Hammond's first 
African-American Baptist Church. The African-American population in 
Hammond was small at that time, however, and the few people who began 
the church had meager resources. Therefore, a small, rented storefront 
building became the first home of the Mount Zion Missionary Baptist 
Church. The parishioners worshiped at this humble location for several 
months under the leadership of Reverend Phelps of Gary, IN.
  As its parishioners experienced financial difficulties brought about 
by a lack of job opportunity in Hammond, Mt. Zion struggled to support 
a minister and find an adequate place of worship. As a result, the 
church was moved to several locations and was led by a variety of 
pastors. However, in spite of the trials they faced, the small group of 
parishioners continued to grow and prosper. Within a year of its 
founding, Mr. Zion had already established a senior choir and became 
officially organized by Reverend Jackson of Indianapolis, IN. In 1921, 
Rev. William Davis, of Morgan Park, IL, became pastor of Mt. Zion, and 
he brought with him a vision of a larger, revitalized parish. Although 
Reverend Davis passed away in October of 1945, he donated the first $25 
toward a $4,000 building fund, and, thus, laid the groundwork for the 
young minister, Rev. A.R. Burns, to fulfill his dream.
  Reverend Burns, who began his pastorship at Mt. Zion in December of 
1945, led the parish in purchasing lots for a new church at 1027 
Kenwood Street. In 1949, the parish moved from the basement structure 
they had been occupying for several years to the new Mt. Zion church, 
which then became known as ``The Friendly Place of Worship.'' In 
addition to fulfilling Reverend Davis' dream, Reverend Burns followed 
his own dream of establishing a quality housing facility for the 
elderly. This dream became a reality in 1983, as a beautiful $6 
million, seven-story, 128-unit building was completed at 940 Kenwood 
Street. The first tenants moved into the Mt. Zion Pleasant View Plaza 
in June 1983.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join 
me in congratulating the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church 
parishioners as they prepare to celebrate the 78th anniversary of their 
parish. The many obstacles the Mt. Zion congregation has overcome to 
successfully guide and serve others in its community is truly 
inspirational.

                          ____________________