[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 131 (Thursday, September 6, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1809-E1810]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               A TRIBUTE TO NINTH TABERNACLE'S 100 YEARS

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                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 6, 2007

  Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Ninth 
Tabernacle Church on its 100th anniversary. The Ninth Tabernacle was 
established September 1, 1907 in Jamaica, New York by Prophet Williams 
S. Crowdy. During that time, members met at the home of Deacon Henry 
and St. Rachel Blount. Deacon Henry Blount presided over the services 
in the Borough of Queens until the Tabernacle was officially 
established by Elder Richard Briggs. Elder Briggs became the first 
local Pastor of the Ninth Tabernacle during the years 1907 to 1927.
  In 1927, the Ninth Tabernacle was led by Evangelist-at-Large 
Nathaniel B. Nelson who established it as an icon of community service 
and fellowship in the Borough of Brooklyn. Previous local pastors have 
included: Elder James Nelson; Elder Judah N. Roberts; Evangelist Moses 
Farrar; and Rabbi Jesse E. Brown, Jr. The current Pastor, Evangelist 
Joseph R. Turner is also the Executive Leader of the international 
religious organization Temple Beth-el.
  Since 1907, the congregation of the Ninth Tabernacle has worshiped at 
various locations throughout the Borough of Brooklyn. One of the most 
memorable locations was 590 Gates Avenue which the congregants of the 
Ninth Tabernacle were forced to leave due to construction of new 
housing. In 1974, the Ninth Tabernacle Trustees purchased a former 
synagogue at 85 Fountain Avenue where members began a 30-year tenure of 
spiritual revitalization and growth.
  The Ninth Tabernacle has been a beacon of community service in the 
Bedford-Stuyvesant and East New York areas. They have established food 
and clothing donation programs; emergency services for the 
neighborhoods; and the Fountain Avenue Community Development 
Corporation, which is a non-profit social service agency that provides 
parental effectiveness training, computer literacy training, and 
workforce development initiatives to Brooklyn residents. The Ninth 
Tabernacle also provided emergency counseling services immediately 
after the events of September 11,

[[Page E1810]]

2001 and continues to work with homeless shelters and substance abuse 
programs in New York.
  Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize the Ninth Tabernacle's 100 
years of service and their selfless contributions to the residents of 
Brooklyn.
  Madam Speaker. I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating the 
Ninth Tabernacle on its 100th anniversary.

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