[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 171 (Saturday, November 22, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2395]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING ST. PAUL AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 21, 2003

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor St. Paul African 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and its Bishop, John Richard Bryant. On 
Sunday, November 23, 2003, St. Paul AME will celebrate seventy years of 
serving the greater Bay Area community.
  The Reverend E.N. Elliott developed the foundations for the Berkeley 
Mission in 1933. He was very proud to report his three members to the 
African Methodist Episcopal 69th Annual Conference.
  Early developmental meetings were held in the home of Rev. and Mrs. 
Speese, but the needs of a rapidly-growing congregation led to the 
establishment of a temporary church headquarters at the corner of Grove 
Street and Russell in Berkeley. The Sunday school was set up during the 
very first week at that site.
  Later on, the property at 1630 Fairview was purchased under the 
leadership of Rev. H.C. Claybrook. The name, Berkeley Mission, was 
changed to St. Paul AME Church, and the Seal of Incorporation was 
secured in early 1937. In 1953, St. Paul moved to the current location 
at 2024 Ashby Avenue.
  The St. Paul AME family has come a long way from its humble 
beginning. The congregation has expanded to over 1,100 members and 
continues to grow today. St. Paul enjoys the distinction of being the 
only African Methodist Episcopal Church in Berkeley, California. Its 
ministries provide a wide spectrum of service, offering food, clothing, 
and housing referrals for those in need. Additionally, its doors are 
open for meetings of Narcotics Anonymous, Alzheimer's, and diabetes 
support groups. Children in the Berkeley community are served through 
education, tutorial and Saturday programs, as well as exercise classes.
  Today, St. Paul AME is under the guidance of Presiding Prelate Fifth 
Episcopal District Bishop John Richard Bryant and Episcopal Supervisor 
Reverend Dr. Cecelia Williams Bryant. Reverend Dr. Vernon Steven 
Burroughs is the Presiding Elder and Reverend Dr. Allen Williams is the 
Pastor.
  I take great pride in joining friends, family, and the congregation 
to salute St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church and its leader, 
the extraordinary Bishop John Bryant, on the seventieth anniversary of 
service.

                          ____________________