[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 137 (Monday, October 5, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1904-E1905]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


      LANE MEMORIAL CHRISTIAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH 1866-1998

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                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                        of district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 5, 1998

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the Lane Memorial 
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, one of the District's most 
distinguished congregations, on the occasion of its 132th Anniversary 
and Homecoming Celebration. Lane has a long history of community 
service and has touched the lives of thousands through its outreach 
ministries that include the ``Break of Life'' Ministry and the Clothes 
Closet.
  Lane was established in 1866 under the pastorate of the late Reverend 
Henson Primrose. The original and present site at 14th and C Street, NE 
was purchased with the assistance of General O.O. Howard, head of the 
Freedmen's Bureau and founder of Howard University. Participating in 
the purchase were Lane officers: Jacob Crumpton, James Green and 
Benjamin Whitaker.
  In 1898, under the leadership of the Reverend J.R. White, the 
original white frame building was torn down, and a brick edifice was 
erected. In 1924, under the direction of Reverend P.L. Moore, an 
addition was constructed in the rear of the church. Following the 
death, in 1937, of the Right Reverend Isaac Lane, Fifth Bishop of the 
Colored Methodist Episcopal Church, the East Washington Mission was 
renamed Lane Chapel in his honor. In 1945, under the pastorate of 
Reverend C.E. Kelly, the mortgage was paid off and the church was 
renovated. The parsonage, at 1615 East Capitol Street, NE, was 
purchased, in 1951, while Reverend W.C. Doty was the pastor.
  The church was deeded to the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
in 1954, the denomination's name was changed to the Christian Methodist 
Episcopal Church. Reverend Giles R. Wright served as pastor from 1954-
1959. Under his leadership, the church purchased two adjacent lots. In 
1977, during the patorate of Reverend Allen W. Singh, an Educational 
Building was erected on the two lots. Further renovations were made 
while Reverend Marshall Jenifer was pastor, including a unique set of 
stained glass windows and a mural. The windows tell the story of the 
denomination's illustrious history and proclaims its Christian message. 
The church offices and parsonage were renovated in 1993, and air 
conditioning was installed in the sanctuary.
  Outstanding among the many former pastors of Lane are, Reverend A.W. 
Womack, who was elected Bishop in 1950, and Reverend M.L. Breeding who, 
in 1954, was elected General Secretary of the Department of Kingdom 
Extension.
  Over the years, many sons of Lane have answered the call to the 
ministry. The church has witnessed the acceptance of the call by five 
of its sons and two of its daughters: Joseph Carter, Walter Gaskin, 
Joseph Collins, Oliver Chase, Charles H. Roman, Azarine Mayes McClellan 
and Paulette M.E. Stevens. The Reverends Helen S. Clanton, Drexel N. 
Mitchell and Kenneth K. Dubose have served as associate ministers and 
received their first charges from this congregation. The present

[[Page E1905]]

pastor, the Reverend H. Shirley Clanton, was assigned to Lane on August 
2, 1998.
  Mr. Speaker, the Lane Memorial Christian Methodist Episcopal Church 
is a beacon of light and hope in this city. I ask this body to join me 
in celebrating its rich history and traditional of spiritual, civic, 
and social activism.

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