[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 120 (Thursday, September 12, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1310]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


               HONORING ANDERSON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 12, 2013

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor 
Anderson United Methodist Church Jackson, Mississippi.
  Anderson United Methodist Church began as a mission in 1914 under the 
leadership of local ministers from the Central and Pratt Methodist 
Episcopal Churches. One of the ministers, the late Rev. R. L. Pickens, 
then pastor of Central, helped organize the Cloverleaf Methodist 
Episcopal Mission. During the 1920s, the first group of members met at 
the home of William Harper on Woodrow Wilson Avenue where they 
worshiped until a specific location was secured.
  By 1928, a temporary house of worship for the Mission had been 
obtained, an old abandoned store on Whitfield Mill Road, (now Martin 
Luther King Dr.). In 1936, a lot on Spring Street was purchased, and 
the first church building was constructed. It was named for the Rev. R. 
L. Anderson the first conference appointed minister. Rev. Anderson died 
in 1930. The Rev. I. R. Kersh, Sr., was the pastor at the time Anderson 
Chapel, as it was known then, was constructed. During the next fifty-
five years, the following ministers Pastored Anderson Chapel: Reverends 
J.C. Bell, Golden Price, S.L. Webb, W.J. Eubanks, N.W. Ross, R.D. 
Gerald, Whalon Blackmon, T.S. Davis, A.L. Holland, F.P. Leonard, C.P. 
Payne, H.C. Clay, Sr., and John L. Baker.
  In September 1952, under the leadership of Rev. Blackmon, a new 
structure was built on Page Street and given the name Anderson 
Memorial. In 1968, under C.P. Payne, Anderson Memorial became Anderson 
United Methodist Church. In 1972, during the tenure of Rev. Clay, the 
white and black United Methodist conference merged into one conference. 
In 1985, Rev. Jeffrey A. Stallworth was appointed pastor at Anderson. 
It was under his leadership that the church moved to 485 West Northside 
Drive.
  Because of the tremendous growth, Anderson relocated to I-220 at 
Hanging Moss Road in November, 1994. At this time, membership was over 
1,600. After being at this location for only two years, in December 
1996 the membership at Anderson surpassed the 3,000 mark.
  In June 2002, the Reverend Joe W. May became Pastor of Anderson 
United Methodist Church. As membership continue to rise, Anderson 
United Methodist Church works diligently to provide a friendly worship 
atmosphere.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Anderson 
United Methodist Church.

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