[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 54 (Wednesday, April 15, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E496-E497]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, BERKLEY

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                     HON. ROBERT C. ``BOBBY'' SCOTT

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 15, 2015

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 150th 
anniversary of First Baptist Church, Berkley in Norfolk, Virginia.

[[Page E497]]

  In 1865, thirty members of Bank Street Baptist Church began praying 
in a tent abandoned by Union soldiers after the culmination of the 
Civil War. These meetings were later moved to the homes of the various 
members. On April 15, 1868, these individuals received letters of 
dismissal from Bank Street Baptist and left to begin a new church led 
by Reverend Samuel S. Jones.
  The new church was initially called Cedar Grove Baptist, receiving 
its name from the cedar trees that lined the road to the church. An 
empty plantation building served as the first church building and 
services were held in a large upper room. The congregation soon outgrew 
the plantation building and moved to a new worship hall on the corner 
of Pine and Walnut Streets. Reverend Richard Wright was elected the new 
pastor of Cedar Grove Baptist. Reverend Wright began fund-raising for a 
new hall of worship, but passed away prior to completion. Reverend 
Madison Lewis served as pastor for nearly 10 years and was leading the 
church at the completion of First Baptist Church Montaland. 
Unfortunately, the Montaland church building was devastated by a fire 
in 1908 and a new church could not be constructed until 1910. After the 
fire, the congregation met at the local Masonic Hall.
  In 1910, the new church building, named First Baptist Church, 
Berkley, opened its doors to the Norfolk community. Throughout the 
church's entire history, First Baptist Church, Berkley has had a rich 
legacy of outreach. During the Great Depression, under the leadership 
of Reverend John Carter Diamond, the church helped feed the community 
by opening soup kitchens and bread lines. The church created a nursery 
and hired unemployed mothers to supplement their family income. With a 
focus on education, the nursery was converted into a church 
kindergarten.
  In 1963, Reverend William Tyree, Jr. began his pastorship with a 
philosophy of educating the congregation. Under his leadership, several 
classes were created to benefit all members of the church. Through his 
strong belief in education, Reverend Tyree formed the Tri-Committee, 
which focused on the church's outreach into the community through 
social and civic engagement. Reverend Tyree recognized the need for a 
new church facility and led the congregation in an effort to build the 
current location of First Baptist Church, Berkley at Berkley Avenue and 
Culpepper Street, which opened on June 22, 1986. Reverend Tyree served 
the church for more than 32 years before his passing on December 23, 
1994. His son, William D. Tyree, III, began his pastorship in May of 
1996 and continues to serve the church today.
  Over the last 150 years, 13 pastors have served the church's 
congregation--Rev. Samuel S. Jones, Rev. Richard Wright, Rev. Madison 
Lewis, Rev. H.L. Barco, Rev. Sutton Griggs, Rev. J.H. Randolph, Rev. 
W.R. Slade, Rev. Lafayette Sharpe, Rev. A.O. Bello, Rev. John Carter 
Diamond, Rev. Noel C. Taylor, Rev. William D. Tyree, Jr., and Rev. 
William D. Tyree, III.
  Mr. Speaker, as First Baptist Church, Berkley of Norfolk, Virginia 
celebrates this historic milestone, the congregation can rejoice in 150 
years of successful discipleship and public service in the Hampton 
Roads community. I would like to congratulate the 13th pastor of First 
Baptist Church, Berkley, Reverend William D. Tyree, III, and all of the 
members of the church's congregation on the occasion of its 150th 
Anniversary. I wish them many more years of fellowship and dedicated 
service to the community.

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