[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 141 (Monday, September 8, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1715]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       TRIBUTE TO 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CHURCH OF THE OPEN DOOR

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                         HON. KENDRICK B. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 8, 2008

  Mr. MEEK of Florida. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor the 50th 
anniversary of the Church of the Open Door, United Church of Christ in 
Miami, Florida. Since its inception, the church has stood in the 
community as a symbol of perseverance and inspiration. This historic 
anniversary of the Church of the Open Door, United Church of Christ 
marks a time of remembrance of a storied past and renewal for a bright 
future.
  In April 1958, Marie Faulkner Brown, daughter of Congregational 
minister Rev. Dr. William F. Faulkner, sought to fulfill a specific 
need of her Congregational background through spiritual guidance. She 
called together a group of 10 people with a Congregational 
denominational background similar to hers to discuss the possibility of 
forming an interracial Congregational church in Miami.
  The small group continued to meet regularly and chose the name, 
Congregational Christian Fellowship. The superintendent of the Florida 
Conference, Rev. Dr. Robbins Ralph was impressed with the honesty and 
eloquence of this beginning group and appointed Dr. Wiley Scott, pastor 
of Miami Beach Community Church, to chair a steering committee that 
provided leadership for the group from local Congregational ministers. 
Superintendent Ralph and Dr. Scott were instrumental in sharing their 
favorable impression of this beginning church with the national church. 
The national church was generous with funds to buy a parsonage on 
Northwest 9th Avenue, and subsidized the group for 5 years. It also 
gave financial support to purchase the property where the church is now 
located, the current edifice and the family life center. The group 
began meeting in the Florida room of Dr. Kelsey L. Pharr and later 
moved to Bethany Seventh Day Adventist Union Academy for Sunday morning 
worship services.
  The name Church of the Open Door, Congregational, was voted on 
September 20, 1959. The church was incorporated on September 28, 1959, 
with 75 charter members. The first interim pastor, a Congregational 
minister, was Rev. Dr. Charles Wicks. Rev. Dr. Henry Curtis McDowell, a 
missionary to Angola, West Africa, for 40 years, served as the founding 
pastor. The current pastor, who previously served as pastor of Amistad 
United Church of Christ in Maryland, is Rev. Dr. R. Joaquin Willis.
  Madam Speaker, please join me in applauding and honoring the Church 
of the Open Door, United Church of Christ as it celebrates 50 years of 
dedicated fellowship. Throughout the past 50 years, the clergy and 
members have dedicated themselves to providing spirituality, service, 
and guidance to the church and greater community of Miami, Florida. It 
is my hope the Church of the Open Door, United Church of Christ 
continues to stand as a beacon of resolve, inspiration, and worship for 
many years to come.

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