[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 34 (Thursday, March 4, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E345]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E345]]
              ST. LUKE BAPTIST CHURCH CELEBRATES 120 YEARS

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                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 4, 1999

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 120th anniversary 
of the establishment of Saint Luke Baptist Church. I am pleased to 
enter into the Record the church's inspiring history.
  Saint Luke Baptist Church was organized at Fort Totten, District of 
Columbia on March 23, 1879. It evolved from a series of religious 
meetings, held over a two year period in the home of Brother Solomon 
Kemp. Other original members were Brothers George Brooks, James Clark, 
Walker Clark, Frank Grinage, Sydney Walker, Anthony Walker, and Sister 
Lucy Jenkins. Reverend Shelton Miller was the spiritual leader of the 
group and became the first pastor. The group continued to worship in 
the home of Brother Kemp until the increase in membership made those 
quarters inadequate. The first church was erected at Shepherd Road and 
Magnolia Avenue, NW. As the membership continued to grow, it became 
necessary to move again. The new church was located at Shepherd Road 
and Georgia Avenue and thrived there for thirty-six years when the site 
was purchased to create what is now known as Missouri Avenue. In 1928 a 
new edifice was erected at Fourteenth and Peabody Streets NW. It is 
worthy of note that the three churches were built within a one mile 
radius and were constructed by Reverend Shelton Miller, church members, 
and friends. Saint Luke was a beacon of light in the Brightwood area 
and obtained its Charter of Incorporation on January 15, 1898.
  Saint Luke Baptist Church thrived under the inspired leadership of 
Reverend Shelton Miller (1879-1931), Reverend Arthur Chichester (1931-
48), and Reverend John Lucas (1948-72). Saint Luke's anointed and 
dynamic pastoral ministries now flourish under the Reverend Aubrey C. 
Lewis (1974-present).
  Church outreach programs are diverse and include all age groups. The 
Bible study program has evolved into the Saint Luke Bible Institute, 
the Senior Adult Ministry (SAM) provides entertaining cultural and 
spiritual activities for retired and senior members, church retreats 
provide opportunities for study and reflection, and the day care center 
is a source of employment for church members and community residents as 
well as a source of revenue for the church. The Youth and Young Adult 
Ministry (Y.Y.A.M.) provides Christian programs for the church's 
youngest age groups. In 1998, the outreach program expanded to a new 
level with the initiation of a Cable Television Ministry.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in acknowledging the many 
sacrifices, freely made, required to write each chapter of Saint Luke's 
rich history and to celebrate a spiritual and civic anchor in the 
Brightwood community.

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