[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 21 (Monday, February 5, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E255]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      TRIBUTE TO THE MOUNT ZION AME CHURCH OF MILLBURN, NEW JERSEY

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                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 5, 2007

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Mount 
Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church in the Township of Millburn, 
Essex County, New Jersey, a vibrant community I am proud to represent. 
On February 18, 2007, its good parishioners will celebrate the Mount 
Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church's 105th Anniversary.
  The Mount Zion AME Church was organized in the Spring of 1888 by 
former members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Springfield, New 
Jersey, in order to give African American domestic workers a place of 
their own to gather and worship on Sunday mornings. Mr. Henry Chambers, 
Mrs. Willhelmina Veals and Ms. Ella Taylor began the church with a 
Sunday School in a florist shop on Taylor Street in Millburn. A short 
while later the church moved to the Old Mountain House on Church 
Street, where it remained until 1902.
  In 1889, Reverend Chase was appointed as pastor of the Mount Zion AME 
Church and served for 4 years. The Reverend John Roberts succeeded 
Reverend Chase in 1893 and served until 1895. Reverend Pendleton served 
as pastor in 1895, followed by Reverend Johnson in 1896.
  The Reverend Adolfus Willis became pastor in 1897 and served until 
1909. On August 20, 1902, Reverend Willis was instrumental in the 
church's purchase of the building located at 56 Church Street. The 
Mount Zion AME Church remains at this location today.
  A total of twenty pastors led the church from between 1909 and 2003, 
when the Reverend Cecil Bonds was appointed pastor. Reverend Bonds 
continues as pastor of the Mount Zion AME Church today.
  Madam Speaker, I urge you and my colleagues to join me in 
congratulating the Mount Zion AME Church of Millburn, New Jersey on the 
celebration of its 105th anniversary.

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