[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 124 (Thursday, September 17, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1750]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HAPPY 130TH ANNIVERSARY ZION BAPTIST CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES A. BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 17, 1998

  Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, the strength and stability that people find 
within their church is a divine power. And nothing is stronger than the 
stability provided by longevity. On September 26, the Zion Baptist 
Church of Saginaw, Michigan, will celebrate its 130th anniversary in a 
fashion that is sure to inspire every one of its parishioners.
  The members of today's church can look back fondly upon the church's 
history and learn great lessons from the church's history. While the 
church had a successful but non-eventful first 59 years, it has had a 
very active period since then. Reverend Reid became pastor in 1928. He 
committed the church to a $10,000 expansion package, only to have the 
Great Depression place demands on the church that it would not place on 
itself. It fell to the next pastor, Reverend Arnold, to find the funds 
necessary to pay off the debt. He succeeded.
  Reverend Schatine then came, and wanted to help build a parsonage. 
The project once again proved to be overwhelming and satisfying at the 
same time, as Brother Hawkins exercised his leadership of the parish. 
Reverend Toomey completed this phase before Reverend Johnson came in 
1942, who then oversaw a major expansion of the church. Reverend O.J. 
Steel organized the chorus and added a baptismal pool to the church.
  In 1956, Reverend Roosevelt Austin became the Pastor, a post which he 
still holds today. His devotion and leadership have helped Zion Baptist 
Church grow, with a new edifice and an educational expansion. He has 
been a most positive force within the community, having been very 
active with the NAACP, OIC of Metropolitan Saginaw, Saginaw City 
Council, Second National Bank Board of Directors, President of the 
Wolverine State Congress of Christian Education, and many other civic 
and religious organizations.
  Throughout this time, the people who have benefitted have been the 
thousands of parishioners who have found strength, guidance, and solace 
from Zion Baptist Church, its Pastors, and its congregation. This 130 
year testimony of faith is something to be truly celebrated. Mr. 
Speaker, I urge you and all of our colleagues to join me in wishing 
Pastor Austin and the congregation of Zion Baptist Church a most joyous 
130th anniversary, and many more to come.

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