[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 129 (Wednesday, November 15, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2034]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


    IN RECOGNITION OF THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF SHILOH BAPTIST CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 15, 2006

  Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to The Shiloh Baptist 
Church, its many congregants and The Reverend James B. Rodgers. During 
the month of October, 2006, they are celebrating Shiloh Baptist 
Church's 150th Anniversary, a truly remarkable achievement. I ask all 
of my colleagues to join me in celebrating the Shiloh Baptist Church 
family and Dr. James B. Rodgers, Pastor on this momentous occasion.
  The Shiloh Baptist Church is located in Sacramento, California and 
was first organized in 1856 as the Siloam Baptist Church. Shiloh is the 
oldest African-American church west of the Mississippi River and the 
first Baptist Church organized by African-Americans in Sacramento. Its 
current faithful leader is Dr. James B. Rodgers, but Shiloh has been 
shepherded by 27 pastoral leaders during its 150 years.
  When Shiloh was first conceived it had no facilities in which to hold 
religious services, so it forged a strong relationship with the Chinese 
Americans in the area. As a result, an offer was extended to Shiloh to 
hold religious services at the Chinese Chapel, located at historic 
Sixth and H Streets in Sacramento.
  The Shiloh Baptist Church is no ordinary church. It has overcome many 
obstacles through faith and determination. It overcame foreclosure in 
the 1860s; significant reduction in congregant membership because of 
relocations; destruction of the church facility by fire in 1861 and 
1905; and the inability to secure building loans on several occasions. 
However, today Shiloh stands firm as a testament to the strong faith, 
perseverance, determination, character and courage of its founders and 
early congregations.
  With the outstanding leadership of Pastor Emeritus Willie P. Cooke, 
Shiloh has provided dedicated service to the citizens of the Sacramento 
region through its 26 year history. Shiloh provides numerous services 
through its many ministries and participates in a multitude of 
community based programs. In recognition of these services Shiloh has 
deservedly received numerous Presidential, Congressional, Gubernatorial 
and State Legislative commendations since its inception.
  In honor of its 150th anniversary, Shiloh Baptist Church began a week 
long celebration on Monday, October 16, 2006, culminating on Sunday, 
October 22, 2006. The celebration's theme takes inspiration from 
Ezekiel 34:26, ``Shiloh, A Godly Heritage: Blessed Future.''
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to thank and congratulate the Shiloh 
Baptist Church for its 150 years of invaluable service to the greater 
Sacramento community. I ask all of my colleagues to join with me in 
wishing the Shiloh Baptist Church and Dr. Rodgers continued success in 
all their future endeavors.

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