[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 65 (Thursday, May 9, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E634-E635]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN HONOR OF BISHOP SIMON P. RAWLINGS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ANDY BARR

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 9, 2013

  Mr. BARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the accomplishments of a 
Kentucky native, Bishop Simon P. Rawlings. Bishop Rawlings was the 
Second Chief Apostle of the House of God, International, whose National 
Cathedral and World Headquarters are located in Lexington, my hometown 
and the center of the sixth Congressional District which I represent.
  The House of God, International has churches in Africa, Australia, 
Canada, and Jamaica, but I am proud to state that the church was 
founded in the United States of America. Bishop R.A.R. Johnson 
initially founded the ``Commandment Keepers'' in 1910. The doctrine 
evolved and the church was firmly established in 1918 as the House of 
God, International. The Hebrew-Pentecostal denomination is based on Old 
Testament law and doctrine and is enthused by the joy, fervor and zeal 
of Christ's New Testament of spiritual revivalism.
  Bishop Rawlings was born August 2, 1914 in Stamping Ground, Kentucky. 
He joined the House of God at the age of 16. He later exclaimed that 
God sent him to Lexington to build Him a church, also giving him a 
higher calling as detailed in Psalms 50:5 ``gather my saints together 
unto me, those that have made covenant with me by sacrifice.''
  For 11 years he preached over the airways each Sunday night; a 
program that was enjoyed by many in the Christian community. With his 
lovely wife, Elect Lady Mary Scott Rawlings of Charlottesville, 
Virginia, whom he married on July 3, 1935, and other dedicated church 
members, Bishop Rawlings set up churches throughout the country and 
overseas. They built their first little church on Black Street in 
Lexington in 1937 and the following year they built the second church 
on Ash Street. In 1959, the church purchased the Chandler Arms School, 
a landmark of Kentucky Black history. They renovated the property. So, 
the next year in 1960, a host of members and friends marched from the 
Ash Street church to the new church at 548 Georgetown Street.
  In 1947, he was ordained as a bishop. In 1950, Bishop Simon Rawlings 
was installed as the second Chief Apostle of the House of God, 
International--a position in which he humbly served for 40 years until 
his death on January 1, 1991. He received his Bachelor of Sacred 
Theology and Master's Degree from the Cooper Institute of Jacksonville, 
FL and a Doctor of Divinity degree from the Kentucky College of 
Contemporary Religion. He was very instrumental in the formation of the 
college and later served as its president until his death.
  One of his greatest achievements was in 1987 when the church 
purchased the Julius Mark property, another one of Lexington's Black 
historical landmarks. In February 1990, Bishop Rawlings shared his 
vision with his wife, church and city officials, church members, and 
the general public at the groundbreaking ceremony of the present 
National Temple and World Headquarters, which is situated on that site 
located at 866 Georgetown Street.
  During his 40 years of service as Chief Apostle and General 
Superintendent, and 56 years as pastor of the Lexington congregation, 
he held the following positions:
  1. National Y.P.U. President
  2. State Superintendent of Georgia
  3. State Superintendent of South Carolina
  4. Southern Division Superintendent
  5. President of the Black Church Coalition of the Bluegrass
  6. Honorary Citizen of Lexington Award (1991)
  7. Kentucky Colonel
  Though he was in failing health, Bishop Rawlings was able to attend 
the pre-dedication service of the National Temple he envisioned and 
built. He gave his farewell sermon during the Feast of Tabernacles in 
October of 1990.
  Sadly, Bishop Rawlings did not live to see the visionary temple, but 
his legacy lives on in

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his building, its congregation, and their commitment to our community.

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