[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 172 (Thursday, December 5, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1808]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING WATERLOO MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 5, 2013

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor 
Waterloo Missionary Baptist Church.
  According to deeds found in the Jefferson County Office of the 
Chancery Clerk, Waterloo Missionary Baptist Church (1870) is one of the 
oldest recorded established Black churches in the county. According to 
oral records, Waterloo Missionary Baptist Church was established prior 
to the Civil War (Histories written by members of church).
  The Waterloo Colored Baptist Church, as it was filed in the Jefferson 
County Courthouse, was organized in 1870 and recorded in January 1871. 
On November 25, 1871, an agreement was made between Mr. B. J. Watkins 
and his wife, Mrs. Anna Jane Watkins, the pastor and several deacons of 
the church to purchase two acres of land at a cost of one hundred 
dollars. The pastor and deacons who secured the land were: Rev. J. D. 
Weston, Deacons, Mason Boones, Joshua Weston, and Thomas Chambers. 
Waterloo Colored Baptist Church was said to have been founded as a 
place of worship for the slaves of the Waterloo Plantation, which was 
located in Jefferson County.
  On April 18, 1924, Deacons A. H. Tooley, H.C. Jones, and A.B. Murphy 
paid the sum of twenty dollars to purchase an additional one half acre 
of land from Mr. and Mrs. Henry Watson. To date, there have been four 
church structures erected on this land. The church also doubled as a 
school to teach the children in the surrounding communities.
  The first church was destroyed by fire on December 20, 1929 because 
of the carelessness of the school children. In 1930, the deacons and 
men of the church erected a small building that served as a school, and 
was also used for church services. When revival was held in August of 
that same year, the deacons and members built a `brush shed' in front 
of the school and used the school's porch for the pulpit.
  By the end of 1930, a new church structure was built by Brother 
Dangerfield from Harriston, Mississippi which was also destroyed by 
fire on February 3, 1931. The third structure was built in 1937 under 
the supervision of Brother Joshua A. Weston, Sr. and Waterloo held 
their monthly services at Morning Star Baptist Church.
  The first church cornerstone was laid on April 30, 1961 under the 
leadership of Pastor James N. Dorsey, who was installed as the pastor 
on January 16, 1956 and served the congregation until January 21, 1979. 
From 1956 to 1959, Rev. Joe Thomas served as interim pastor while Rev. 
Dorsey served in the military. In 1980, renovations were made on this 
structure under the leadership and guidance of Pastor Floyd Rice, who 
was installed as pastor on May 12, 1979 and served until September 12, 
1984.
  The third structure stood until 1996 when the present structure was 
built under the leadership of Pastor Leon Howard who was installed on 
November 15, 1985 and he is currently pastor. Dedicatory services were 
held for the new church on October 14-18, 1996 and Sunday, October 20, 
1996. Major renovations were completed on this building in 2008 with 
Re-dedicatory Services being held on September 16-17, and Sunday, 
September 21, 2008.
  Pastor Howard's leadership has increased membership, financial 
conditions and in organizing First Sunday Worship Service and the Youth 
Department was organized with Rev. Curtis Smith, the youth minister. In 
January 2000, first Sunday Worship Service was changed to Fourth Sunday 
Worship Service starting at 8:30 a.m. In September 2008, Reverend 
Arthur Williams was installed as assistant pastor.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Waterloo 
Missionary Baptist Church for its outstanding service to the community.