[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 140 (Thursday, October 1, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2420]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE WEST END SILVER POINT CHURCH

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                            HON. BART GORDON

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 30, 2009

  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
100th anniversary of the founding of the West End Church of Christ 
congregation in Silver Point, Tennessee.
  In 1909, Pastor George Phillip ``G.P.'' Bowser relocated the Laurel 
Hill congregation to Silver Point and established the Putnam County 
Normal and Industrial Orphanage to provide housing, education, 
vocation, and religious instruction to the African American children of 
the region. In 1913, the school became the Silver Point Christian 
Institute, educating grades one through eight. A small printing press 
was operated by the school, which led to the development of the 
Christian Echo--a publication that is still printed today.
  By 1915, the church and school combined into the West End Church of 
Christ Silver Point. A new building was constructed, which still stands 
to this day. In December 2007, the building was included in the 
National Register of Historic Places by the U.S. National Park Service.
  The geographically isolated Highland Rim area of Middle Tennessee has 
always focused on small-scale agriculture and timber resources grouped 
into small towns. Farms were tended by individual families with little 
outside help. Until the early 20th century, these small communities in 
Silver Point had few religious organizations and even fewer schools. 
Classes were often taught in buildings that could not afford proper 
maintenance or enough supplies for students.
  The school that Pastor Bowser established in 1915 provided the young 
children of the community with educational opportunities never before 
seen in the area. Though the school closed in 1959, the church remains 
active.
  Many prominent and nationally-acclaimed leaders have been personally 
involved with the church, including Sam Womack, Alexander Campbell, 
Marshall Keeble, Henry Clay, J.S. Winston, R.N. Hogan. G.E. Stewart, 
and Levi Kennedy.
  Through its 100-year history, the West End Church of Christ in Silver 
Point has provided a place of identity and congregation for the African 
American community of western Putnam County. I congratulate the 
congregation on its centennial anniversary.

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