[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 124 (Thursday, September 17, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1746]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF ST. PAUL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF DALLAS, 
                                 TEXAS

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                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 17, 1998

  Mr. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize 
the 125th anniversary of St. Paul United Methodist Church in Dallas, 
Texas. St. Paul has a rich history of service and contribution to the 
surrounding community, It is indeed a historical pillar in the city of 
Dallas that has strengthened its congregation. Throughout St. Paul's 
125 years of service, the church has successfully created innovative 
ministries to assist all segments of the community.
  A historical landmark site located in the arts district of Dallas, 
St. Paul is one of the oldest congregations in the entire D.F.W. 
Metroplex. St. Paul reaches out to many individuals in our diverse 
community.
  The congregation began as a mission from the Wesley Church in New 
Orleans, Louisiana, in 1873. This great beginning was followed by St. 
Paul becoming the first African-American Methodist Church to be 
organized in Dallas by the direction of its first pastor, Rev. H. 
Boliver in addition, the first church building served as a school to 
educate the minds of African-American children while serving as a 
church. The significance of this achievement was that it was the only 
vehicle to formally educate Dallas African-American children until the 
city built its first public school for African-Americans in 1884 across 
the street form the church.
  Two years later the Reverend G.W. Richardson organized Samuel Huston 
College, (presently Huston-Tillotson College, now in Austin, Texas) on 
February 22, 1876 at Dallas, where its first classes were held in the 
St. Paul Methodist Episcopal Church.
  Mr. Speaker, this was the beginning of St. Paul's mission to 
proactively reach out to the community and making the tenets of the 
Methodist Church active and service-oriented. St. Paul's current 
pastor, Dr. Henry L. Masters Sr., not only continued that proactive 
service, but has also been the driving force in increasing membership 
growth, creating an improved infrastructure and doubling the church 
staff and budget. Along with this work, new ministries have been 
developed to feed the homeless, to take inner-city youth to summer camp 
and to teach pastors business skills.
  Mr. Speaker, the work of St. Paul's is innovative, compassionate and 
much-needed. This has all resulted in a Dallas Community that is much 
stronger and closer. Therefore, the anniversary of the church means 
more than just a celebration for its leaders and congregation. It means 
that countless citizen from all walks of life and backgrounds in the 
Dallas area are beneficiaries of St. Paul's 125 years of service. I 
join the many in congratulating St. Paul's on this achievement and also 
in extending the church the best wishes for another 125 years of 
successful service.

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