[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 118 (Friday, August 3, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1435]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         WESLEY GROVE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 125TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. ROBERT C. ``BOBBY'' SCOTT

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 2, 2012

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate a 
legacy of faith and community in Virginia's Third Congressional 
District. This year, Wesley Grove United Church of Christ in Newport 
News, Virginia is celebrating its 125th anniversary, and I would like 
to take a moment to reflect on the history of this esteemed institution 
and its contributions to the greater Newport News community.
  Originally organized in 1887 by a group including Reverend J.H. Edlow 
and Deacon G. Wesley Raney, the Wesley Grove congregation originally 
met in a building just 20 by 30 feet, at the time too large for the 
small congregation. As a poor congregation, it was difficult for them 
to pay for this space. Fortunately, the congregation found ways to make 
ends meet, and in 1895, under Reverend James M. Parson, a new house of 
worship was completed.
  In 1897, Elder S.A. Howell became pastor of the Church. As time went 
by, the congregation continued to expand, eventually growing to over 
1,000 and finding itself in need of a larger place of worship. Under 
the leadership of Reverend Howell, a new building was constructed on 
the 700 block of 19th Street in Newport News. Dedicated in 1900, this 
building was used by the congregation under the leadership of Reverend 
T.S. Crayton, Reverend J.B. Jones, Reverend Thomas J. Moore, and 
Reverend Zander P. Jenkins.
  In 1964, under the leadership of Reverend Jenkins, having once again 
outgrown their place of worship due to mergers with other 
congregations, the Wesley Grove congregation completed the purchase of 
a building owned by another local church. Reverend Jenkins, feeling 
called to serve elsewhere, left the congregation in 1970.
  Over the next few years, the congregation struggled without a pastor 
at times. Reverend Vernon Harris served the congregation for a year in 
1972 before Reverend Jenkins, having fulfilled his calling to other 
congregations, returned in 1974. Unfortunately, Reverend Jenkins passed 
away suddenly, leaving Wesley Grove again without a pastor.
  With Reverend Jenkins' passing, Reverend G. Wesley Raney, III, the 
grandson of one of Wesley Grove's founders, proved ready to lead the 
congregation. During his ministry, the church flourished. Feeling 
called to pastor a church in another state, Reverend Raney left Wesley 
Grove in 1985, and was succeeded by Reverend Isaac L. McDonald. Under 
his leadership, numerous programs were established to help Newport News 
youth excel in their educational pursuits.
  Reverend McDonald was succeeded by Reverend Prince Raney Rivers, who 
was called to minister Wesley Grove as both a pastor and a teacher 
until 2005. A descendant of one of the founders of the church, Reverend 
Rivers presided over another period of tremendous growth for the 
church. Under his leadership, the Church established new ministries, 
expanded membership, and created lasting community partnerships to 
address issues and challenges facing the community.
  Reverend McDonald was succeeded by Reverend Dr. Alexander Jamison, 
Sr., who served the community from 2007 until 2011.
  Wesley Grove remains committed to maintaining its legacy of faith and 
community action to this day. With a congregation that has historically 
included a large number of professionals in the field of education, 
Wesley Grove established education programs that include after school 
tutoring and Project REACT, a technology focused tutoring program to 
help improve students' performance. It has also provided numerous 
scholarships to college bound students, including the G. Wesley Raney 
III Scholarship, the Olivia Smith Scholarship, and the Emma Gupton 
Scholarship. Wesley Grove also has an accomplished and talented choir 
program, featuring a men's choir, a senior's choir, and a children's 
choir. These programs, amongst others, continue to demonstrate Wesley 
Grove's commitment to the Newport News community.
  As the Wesley Grove United Church of Christ gathers to celebrate this 
historic milestone, the church can truly remember its past, celebrate 
its present, and focus on its future. I would like to congratulate all 
of the members of the Wesley Grove United Church of Christ on the 
occasion of its 125th Anniversary, and I wish them many more years of 
dedicated service to the community.

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