[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 109 (Wednesday, August 5, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1548]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            MOUNT OLIVE BAPTIST CHURCH CELEBRATES 125 YEARS

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                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, August 5, 1998

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the rich history of the 
Mount Olive Baptist Church on the 125th anniversary of its founding.
  Mr. Speaker, on August 17, 1873, the Mount Olive Baptist Church was 
organized in the home of Brother Robert Terrell and Sister Martha 
Terrell by a group out of the Second Baptist Church in NW, D.C. who 
accepted the challenge to establish a church to meet the spiritual 
needs of families residing in the Near Northeast Community.
  From these humble beginnings, the church became extensively involved 
in the community. The ministerial staff, in conjunction with the Near 
Northeast Group Ministers Association participated, with John 
Hechinger, in the development of Hechinger Mall, the Pentacle 
Apartments and Benning Court Apartments, and initiated a Meals on 
Wheels Program for the sick and shut-in. In 1975, the Near Northeast 
Community Enrichment Program which provides social services, 
employment, and after school and summer enrichment programs was 
implemented. The ``Feed My Sheep'' ministry was instituted to provide a 
nutritious breakfast to children each Sunday morning before Sunday 
School. An outside community day, ``Taking Jesus to the Streets'' 
conducting by the Youth Ministry has evolved into ``Love and Unity 
Day.''
  Mr. Speaker, with the opening of the Mount Olive Baptist Church 
Learning Center, the church continues to grow and serve the needs of 
the near northeast community.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the Members in this hallowed chamber to join me in 
saluting the officers, members and friends of the Mount Olive Baptist 
Church, a beacon of light and a safe haven in the near northeast 
community.

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