[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 122 (Friday, September 17, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1895-E1896]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           MOUNT LEBANON BAPTIST CHURCH CELEBRATES 100 YEARS

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                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 17, 1999

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, in November 1899, The Reverend Theodore 
Williams, a recent graduate of the School of Theology at Howard 
University was inspired by God to establish a mission which was named 
High Street Baptist Church. The mission worshiped in an old jail, a 
former detention center for runaway slaves, on High Street, now 
Wisconsin Avenue, NW, in Georgetown. Later, the church held worship 
services at the Seventh Street Baptist Church--which is now named 
Jerusalem.
  Mr. Speaker, on July 22, 1901, a recognition council was called, and 
High Street Baptist, which now had thirty-four members, was recognized 
as a regular Baptist Church. The congregation continued to grow, and in 
November 1904 purchased and relocated to a new site at 814 25th Street, 
NW, and was renamed Mount Lebanon Baptist Church. An all-day service 
was held on Sunday, November 19, 1908, in thanksgiving for the 
completion of the work of renovating this property. Six years later 
(1914), the congregation demolished that building and constructed a new 
building, to the glory of God, on the same site. The mortgage for the 
new building was burned in 1919. In April 1923, after 24 years of 
inspired and zealous leadership and service as pastor, Reverend 
Williams was called to his reward. He was succeeded by the Reverend 
John Ford, who served as pastor from 1924 until 1932 when he left to 
accept a new charge.
  In November 1932, the Reverend Edgar Newton was installed as pastor. 
His motto was ``Follow me as I follow Christ.'' Much was accomplished 
during his leadership of almost thirty-nine years. New clubs 
(ministries) and a building fund were established, significant growth 
in membership was accomplished, two properties adjacent to the church 
were purchased, services to members and the community were expanded, 
and the site of the present church was purchased. In addition, three 
mortgages were burned--two at the 25th Street site and one at the 
present site, 1219 New Jersey Avenue, NW, to which the congregation 
relocated on January 27, 1963. Reverend Newton retired in June 1971; 
and on June 18, 1974, he was called from service to reward.
  The Reverend Vernon C. Brown, a son of the church, succeeded Reverend 
Newton to the pastorate on November 12, 1972, and served faithfully 
until his retirement on December 31, 1991. Under his leadership, 
programs of services to members and the community were expanded, 
including services to senior citizens and a ``feed the hungry'' program 
providing balanced hot meals at least once per week. His motto was 
``The family that prays together stays together.''
  From the time of Reverend Brown's retirement until November 1992, 
pastoral duties were shared by three sons of the church, the Reverend 
Norman King, the Reverend Benjamin C. Sands, and the Reverend William 
O. Wilson.
  In November 1992, the Reverend H. Lionel Edmonds became the fifth 
pastor of the church. Pursuant to his vision of ``building the beloved 
community'', great strides have been made including nearly quadrupling 
the membership and the establishment of new ministries to meet the 
spiritual, physical, and intellectual needs of members and the 
community.

[[Page E1896]]

These include a Cedars Discipleship Institute (Christian education); 
Sons of Simeon (men's ministry); Daughters of Miriam dance classes; 
boys' basketball and football teams; classes to develop job skills in 
computers, lock smithing and electricity; health and beauty workshops; 
aerobics classes; and a soon-to-be-opened child development center. All 
services are open to the community as well as to members of the church.
  Mount Lebanon's community service extends beyond its immediate 
environs. Through very active involvement in the Washington Interfaith 
Network (WIN), an interdenominational coalition of churches from all 
eight of the city's wards, it also participates in other citywide 
programs to provide low-cost housing for families and after school care 
for children, reduce crime, provide education/job skills to citizens, 
and to assure a living wage for all persons employed in the city.
  Mr. Speaker, through worship and community service, Mount Lebanon 
carries out its slogan, ``We serve a great God; we are a great people; 
and we are about a great work.''
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that the members of this body join me in 
congratulating the Mount Lebanon Baptist Church, and celebrating the 
spiritual understanding that has guided their path for 100 years.

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