[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 128 (Wednesday, September 22, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1712]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           100TH ANNIVERSARY OF UNION UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. ROBERT C. ``BOBBY'' SCOTT

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 22, 2010

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate an 
institution in Norfolk, Virginia. On Friday, September 24, 2010, Union 
United Church of Christ will celebrate its 100th anniversary, and I 
would like to highlight some moments from the history of the church and 
its contributions to our community.
  Union United's history began in 1908 with a small prayer band made up 
of new arrivals to Norfolk who found no Christian church in their area. 
The church formed as Union Christian in 1910 and was organized and led 
by Rev. J.J. Faulk.
  Many pastors served Union Christian faithfully in these early years, 
including Rev. G.T. Hall from 1929-1930, Rev. R.J. Alston from 1931 to 
1934, and Rev. S.A. Howell from 1934 to 1935. Under Rev. Alston, the 
church was renamed Union Congregational Christian Church.
  Rev. Mann assumed the pastorate in 1935 and served the church 
faithfully until 1951. His leadership saw both milestones and 
improvements, including the burning of the church's mortgage.
  Rev. Z.P. Jenkins served as pastor from 1953 to 1960. During this 
time the church was renovated, and the church bought a house on Bane 
Street to serve as a parsonage. It was also during Rev. Jenkins' tenure 
that nationally the Evangelical and Reformed Church merged with the 
Congregational Church to form the United Church of Christ.
  The church underwent multiple changes under the leadership of its 
longest serving pastor to date, Rev. Joseph M. Copeland. Arriving in 
1960, Rev. Copeland instituted a Deacon Board, and the church became 
very active in the community. A Citizen's Club, Boy Scout Troop, USDA 
Share Program, and 4-H Club were all founded under his direction.
  Another milestone during the tenure of Rev. Copeland was the 
relocation of the church. In 1971, the church was forced to move due to 
redevelopment projects in the city of Norfolk. The present site on Goff 
Street was purchased, and a new church was built and dedicated in 
January 1977. Through the dedication of the congregation, the church 
was able to pay off the mortgage in just 11 years and held a burning 
ceremony in May 1988. Rev. Copeland retired in 1992 after 32 years of 
service.
  The church continued to make history under seventh pastor, Rev. 
Anthony Taylor, ordaining its first female deacon. Rev. Taylor served 
for eight years, leaving in 2000 to serve his country in the U.S. Army. 
Rev. Copeland returned for a brief period as interim pastor in 2000, at 
which point Union United made history yet again.
  In 2001, Associate Pastor Linda Clark was installed as Union's 
Pastor, the first female to serve in this post. Under her leadership, 
Union United re-dedicated itself to the community by establishing 
after-school tutorial programs and a Narcotics Anonymous program, and 
doing outreach work with the Norfolk State University School of Social 
Work. Currently serving under Rev. Clark is her twin sister, Rev. 
Brenda Brown.
  As Union United gathers to celebrate its centennial, the Church can 
truly remember its past, celebrate its present, and focus on the future 
with great expectations. I would like to congratulate Rev. Clark, 
Associate Pastor Brown, Pastor Emeritus Copeland, and all of the 
members of Union United Church of Christ on the occasion of their 100th 
anniversary. I wish them 100 more years of dedicated service to the 
community.

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