[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 46 (Tuesday, April 9, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E385]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING THE DEDICATION OF THE FIRST MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

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                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 9, 2013

  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Rev. Roderick 
McClanahan, and the dedication of the First Missionary Baptist Church's 
newest house of worship. For over 20 years the Reverend has served as 
Pastor of the First Missionary Baptist Church, and has lead this 
congregation in the Building project which resulted in this church.
  Rev. McClanahan was born in Louisiana where he received a calling 
from God at a young age, preaching his first sermon on September 4, 
1984, and eventually becoming ordained at the New Morning Star 
Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of Rev. Willie Minor, 
on September 21, 1985. He was brought to Maryland shortly thereafter, 
and has officially served as pastor of the First Missionary Baptist 
Church since March of 1990.
  The First Missionary Baptist Church has a rich history in Maryland. 
The church was started as a Prayer Band in October of 1945 by Martha 
Hickenbotom, as a way of giving the African Americans of Lexington Park 
a place of worship. Service was initially held in the home of Mr. and 
Mrs. Lester Colson, but as the congregation grew, so did their need for 
space. For a brief time the Prayer Band made their home in the then USO 
Building, until on April 19, 1947, at the suggestion of Brother Ivory 
Moore, then the prayer leader for the Prayer Band, they purchased the 
first acre of land the church calls home today. Since then, through 
segregation and beyond, the church has continued to grow and faithfully 
serve the African American community of Southern Maryland.
  It is truly my honor to pay tribute today to Rev. Roderick 
McClanahan, and the First Missionary Baptist Church, a shining beacon 
for all of Southern Maryland.

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