[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 147 (Tuesday, October 30, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1955]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  HONORING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF MT. ZION MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

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                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 30, 2001

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join 
me in recognizing the 100th anniversary of the Mount Zion Missionary 
Baptist Church in East St. Louis, Illinois.
  From the beginnings of holding prayer meetings at the home of Mother 
Jennie Thomas, Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church began.
  As the prayer meetings grew, a mission was begun and larger 
facilities became necessary. Mother Thomas, along with Charlie Green 
and Belle Aikens, obtained a building site at 10th and Cook Streets in 
East St. Louis. On April 4, 1901, Mt. Zion was organized with the Rev. 
Allen Aikens as its first pastor, Brothers Woodard, Sandy Sherrod and 
William Easterly as Deacons; Brothers W. Jones and Prince as Trustees 
and W. Belle as Secretary. The membership grew under Rev. Aikens' 
leadership.
  As the congregation grew, a larger place of worship was required. 
Though their resources were limited, the congregation was able to 
purchase land at 13th and Tudor. Construction on the new church started 
soon thereafter. Mt. Zion met in the basement of the building until it 
was completely built.
  In 1919, Rev. BJ Smith was the pastor and under his leadership, a 
sanctuary was added and overall construction became complete. Following 
Rev. Smith, Rev. Lemon Johnson and Rev. JJ Olive came to serve as 
church pastors from 1931 to 1935, Under Rev. Olive, a baptismal pool 
was added to the church.
  Following this period in the church's early growth, the Rev. B Haney 
became pastor, soon followed in 1947 by the Revs. Ephraim Thomas and 
James Clayborne. In 1947, Rev. WB Rouse became pastor at Mt. Zion. 
During his pastoral duties, membership of the church greatly increased. 
The church building became enlarged in 1951 and again in 1955. The 
sanctuary was expanded, classrooms were added and an organ and church 
furnishings were acquired.
  At this time a parsonage was also added to the Church holdings at 919 
Bond Avenue. In 1964, the Illinois Department of Transportation needed 
easements to assist in the construction of the Poplar Street Bridge, 
the church then purchased additional property at 24th and Bond Avenues 
in East St. Louis which became the church's present location.
  In 1966, the Rev. C Cedric Claiborne was received as the new pastor 
of Mt. Zion. Under his tenure, the new church was constructed at a cost 
of $450,000 and the first worship service was held there in 1968. In 
1972, however an explosion damaged the eastern wall of the church. A 
makeshift cover was used to protect the building up until 1974 when the 
cornerstone was laid for the new wall.
  Activities initiated by the Rev. Claiborne include city-wide graduate 
services of Metro-East graduates and a Sunday evening broadcast via 
WESL. The church then employed a full-time church cemetery and a church 
publicity Director. In 1975, Rev. Rouse took over pastorship of Mt. 
Zion under his leadership a mortgage burning ceremony was held in 1979.
  Between the years 1977-2001, several pieces of property were 
acquired, including a parking lot directly located across from the 
church, the church office, ground adjacent to the office building, the 
Jewish temple, Sunday school complex and an area east of that facility. 
In addition to expanding their land holdings, vehicles were secured 
over the years to help transport parishioners to the church. In 1976, 
two 60 passenger buses were purchased, in 1986, a utility van and two 
trucks were bought; in 1981 three vans were purchased; 1989 two 
additional vans were bought and from 1989 to 1999, additional vans and 
bus were acquired, bringing the church's fleet of vehicles to five.
  Pastor Rouse holds workshops and institutes for members of the 
community. In 1977, the Nursing Home Visitation Team was organized and 
continues to go into the various nursing homes in the region providing 
spiritual guidance to their patients. Mt. Zion continues to be active 
in the needs of senior citizens. The Voices of Zion held its first 
concert at Powell Symphony Hall in St. Louis, Missouri in July 1983.
  Mt. Zion continues to serve the community by providing Thanksgiving 
meals. During the South End Flood, church facilities were used by the 
Red Cross to feed flood victims. Mt. Zion also operates a food pantry, 
which is open to the public twice weekly.
  Mt. Zions membership continues to grow. Under Rev. Rouse, he has also 
ordained some 16 new ministers. In 1994, the New Day Jail ministry was 
started going into various correctional facilities. They are 
responsible for providing spiritual guidance to inmates as well as 
providing Christmas gifts to children of the incarcerated.
  The church's bookstore opened in 1996 and the Inspirational Voices 
Youth Choir finished their first CD recording out of the church itself. 
During this year, a ground breaking was held in June in preparation for 
the construction of new Classroom and administrative buildings.
  Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist continues to grow and prosper, providing 
the spiritual needs and guidance for many people in the region.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the 100 years 
of service of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church and salute the members 
of the church's congregation both past and present.

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