[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 141 (Monday, October 18, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2122]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNITION OF THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH

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                          HON. DAVID E. BONIOR

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 18, 1999

  Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the 80th 
anniversary of the Second Baptist Church located in Romeo, Michigan. In 
late 1918 and early 1919, a group of devoted Christians began holding 
prayer meetings in their homes. In 1920, Katherine Board, Jennie 
(Green) Barton, George Green, Arthur Board, Katie Watkins, Virgil 
Watkins and Susan Armstrong met to discuss the idea of starting a 
church of their own. Many people at that time were attending the local 
Methodist Church and decided to approach the village officials to 
request a location to hold their own services.
  The church was first housed in the Town Bank Practice Hall, a small 
room above the Romeo Fire Department and Jail on Rawles Street. After a 
year of increased attendance and the choir becoming well recognized 
throughout the region, the members decided that they wanted a building 
of their own. The cornerstone was laid in 1932 and dedicated Second 
Baptist Church under Reverend Cannon. The structure stood for over 35 
years as the center of the church community until the new structure was 
started in 1968.
  Through the hard work of the church's members, and the leadership of 
its many devoted Pastors, the members have built a beacon of light in 
the Romeo community. The Second Baptist Church brings together every 
aspect of the village. Blacks and whites from various economic 
backgrounds come together to worship in the community of faith centered 
around The Second Baptist Church.
  For the last eighty years, the Second Baptist Church has remained 
steadfast in its loyalty to the community and to its faith in God. 
Please join me in asking for God's blessing for another eighty years of 
service, support, and community for the members of this wonderful 
church.

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