[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 113 (Thursday, August 1, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1199]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN RECOGNITION OF GREATER SHADY GROVE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH'S 150TH 
                              ANNIVERSARY

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                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 1, 2013

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia.  Mr. Speaker, it is my honor and pleasure to 
extend my sincere congratulations to the congregation of Greater Shady 
Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Columbus, Georgia as the church's 
membership and leadership celebrates a remarkable 150 years. The 
congregation of Greater Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church will 
celebrate this very significant anniversary with a Sesquicentennial 
Celebration on Sunday, August 4, 2013 at the Columbus Convention and 
Trade Center in Columbus, Georgia.
  Tracing its roots back to the Civil War era, the church was founded 
in 1863 on the eastern bank of the Chattahoochee River, under a grape 
arbor in an oak grove. During a meeting at the house of Brother Boston 
Miles and Sister Mary Moore, the first members of the church, the 
church was named ``Shady Grove Baptist Church.''
  From its inception through 1932, the church was served by its first 
sixteen ministers, each leaving their lasting mark on the church in 
some form or fashion. Perhaps the most notable, Reverend L.F. O'Bryant, 
served eleven years as the seventh pastor of the church and instituted 
a large renovation program to expand the size and reach of the church.
  In 1932, Reverend W.A. Reid began his service as the church's 
seventeenth minister, and would go on to serve until his death in 1942. 
Under Rev. Reid's careful eye, the church expanded again, adding an 
annex and instituting the Vacation Bible School.
  In 1949, under the Reverend J.J. Ivey, the eighteenth pastor, more 
renovations were made, which included the purchase of new pews and 
pulpit furniture, the installation of hardwood floors, and the purchase 
of an organ to enhance church service. Rev. Ivey would serve the church 
for seventeen years before retiring from the pastorate.
  One of the most significant moments in the church's history occurred 
under Reverend Rudolph Carter Allen in August 1967, when the First 
Baptist Church of Columbus, Georgia awarded the full Title and Deeds of 
the building in which Shady Grove worshipped to the congregation of the 
church. The church was then renamed to Greater Shady Grove Baptist 
Church to distinguish the congregation from other similarly named 
churches in Georgia. Less than a year later, the Superior Court of 
Muscogee County incorporated the Greater Shady Grove Baptist Church.
  Throughout the years, the church would be remodeled and renovated 
several times. With these aesthetic changes came changes to the church 
mission. After creating several new committees, programs, and outreach 
ministries and increasing focus on the community, the Church was 
renamed for a second time to Greater Shady Grove Missionary Baptist 
Church, as it is called today. In addition to the new name, the church 
became a tithe-and-offering church, eliminating the need for 
assessments and fundraising. Today, under the leadership of Reverend 
Marcus J'uan Gibson, the church continues to grow and change with the 
vision of holistic transformation and continual improvement in Christ.
  The story of Greater Shady Grove Missionary Shady Baptist Church, 
which began as a small group of people worshipping in the shade of a 
grape arbor 150 years ago and has grown into an expansive and 
successful church, is truly an inspiring one of the dedication and 
perseverance of a faithful congregation of people who put all their 
love and trust in the Lord.
  Mr. Speaker, today I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute 
to Greater Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Columbus, Georgia 
for their long history of coming together through the good and 
difficult times to praise and worship our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

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