[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 133 (Friday, October 5, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1828]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN HONOR OF GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 5, 2001

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the fifty-first 
anniversary of the founding of Grace Baptist Church of Westlake, OH. 
This congregation has been a wonderful part of the Greater Cleveland 
community for over half a century.
  This church traces its history back to February 24, 1950, when forty-
seven members signed the charter to organize the church officially. The 
congregation originally met in an upper hall on the corner of Orchard 
Grove and Detroit Avenue in Lakewood, but a small church building was 
later purchased in Rocky River. As the church continued to grow, a 
larger building was needed. The church purchased land from Mrs. Dorothy 
Rogers, a member of the congregation, and broke ground on April 17, 
1966. The dedication services were held in the present building on 
October 26, 1967. The congregation of Grace Baptist Church worships at 
that location to this day.
  The church is located on a seven acre site in the eastern part of 
Westlake. The members come from the western part of Cleveland, 
Lakewood, Rocky River, Fairview Park, North Olmstead, Westlake, Bay 
Village, Avon, Avon Lake, and North Ridgeville. All ages are 
represented in the congregation.
  The church is very active. Among its activities are a Sunday school 
for all ages, Sunday morning and evening worship, youth groups, prayer 
meetings, adult social groups, and junior and senior high school youth 
groups.
  From the beginning, the prayer of Grace Baptist's membership has been 
that the church family would always stay faithful to God. For fifty-one 
years, that prayer has been answered. My fellow colleagues, join me in 
honoring Grace Baptist Church.