[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 92 (Wednesday, July 7, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1296]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             A TRIBUTE TO GREATER FREE GIFT BAPTIST CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 6, 2004

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Greater Free Gift Baptist 
Church in recognition of the church's 50th year of existence, serving 
as a place of spiritual leadership in the community.
  The Free Gift Baptist Mission was first organized on May 9, 1954 in 
the Home of Reverend J.W. McCray on 714A Monroe Street in Brooklyn, New 
York. The church leaders included Deacon Lee Gains who was chairman of 
the deacon board; Deacon Brodie who was treasurer; Sister Gertrude 
Ortory was who the church clerk; and Deacon Roosevelt Kirkland who 
served as chairman of the trustee board. There were about 25 charter 
members.
  On the following Sunday, worship services were also held at 494 
Lexington Avenue, where Reverend Wayne was pastor. In June of that same 
year, the church occupied its premises at 77 Sumner Avenue. On October 
24, 1955, an Advisory Council meeting of the Eastern Baptist 
Association was held for the purpose of recognizing Free Gift Baptist 
Church as a regular Baptist church. In September 1956, the pastor, 
members, and many visitors and friends marched from 77 Sumner Avenue to 
1058 Myrtle Avenue.
  In June 1959, Reverend Daniel Webster Batts was called to serve as 
pastor of the church. In 1961, the Free Gift Baptist Church due to 
legal reasons changed its name to Greater Free Gift Baptist Church. 
Under new leadership, congregants continued worshipping at 1058 Myrtle 
Avenue. In 1962, membership was instructed to look for larger and 
better quarters, and through the help of the Almighty, church members 
located its present site at 146 Stockton Street. On December 12, 1991, 
the church lost its pastor Reverend Dr. Daniel Webster Batts and for 
three years while under the leadership of the Deacon Board, the church 
searched for a new pastor.
  Finally, on February 26, 1995, the church installed its current 
pastor, Reverend William Raymond Whitaker, Jr. and since then the 
ministry has continued to grow. Under Reverend Whitaker's leadership, 
the church now has a ministerial staff consisting of three ministries, 
a nurses unit, the Greater Free Gift Bible Institute, which includes a 
General Bible Class and Child and Youth Evangelism Classes, an in-house 
library, a remedial reading assistance class, a basic computer training 
class, two vans, the D.W. Batts Fellowship Hall as well as the 
formation of the Drama and Dance Ministry and Serenity on Stockton 
Street. In May 2003, the main sanctuary and the D.W. Batts Fellowship 
Hall were renovated.
  Mr. Speaker, the Greater Free Gift Baptist Church has served as a 
religious sanctuary for 50 years, inspiring spiritual growth, knowledge 
and understanding in the community. As such, the church is more than 
worthy of receiving our recognition today and I urge my colleagues to 
join me in honoring this truly remarkable congregation.

                          ____________________