[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 79 (Thursday, May 21, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E770-E771]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     CONGRATULATING MACEDONIA MINISTRY BAPTIST CHURCH ON ITS 80TH 
                              ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DANIEL T. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 21, 2015

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I ask the United States House of 
Representatives to join me in recognizing the Macedonia Missionary 
Baptist Church on the occasion of their 80th anniversary.
   Macedonia Ministry Baptist Church has been described as being unique 
in the sense that many of the descendants of the founders and early 
leaders of the church are still active members today.
   On May 9, 1935, a council of 16 men and women came together to 
organize a new Missionary Baptist church in the City of Flint. The 
first pastor was Rev. Joseph Mack. In the 1940's, Rev. Ira Watkins led 
the congregation into a building fund campaign for the building of a 
new church. In 1953, they moved from their original storefront dwelling 
to their new building at 1116 Hickory Street. Rev. Watkins passed away 
in October of 1960, after serving 20 years as pastor.
   In December of 1960, the congregation elected Dr. J.C. Curry as its 
third pastor. Dr. J.C. Curry would become the church's longest serving 
pastor and was one of the original organizers of the Church-Security-
in-Ministry initiative. After 41 years, Dr. Curry retired in 2001.
   The fourth pastor was Rev. Alfred L. Harris who led the congregation 
from 2002 to 2011. In June 2012, Bishop Neal Roberson was named as the 
new pastor. Pastor Roberson was honored to accept the assignment, 
stating he was grateful for the opportunity.
   For eight decades, the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church has 
worked tirelessly to help those in the community most in need. 
Residents of the area have come to rely on the Macedonia Ministry 
Baptist Church for such blessings as food baskets given to the 
impoverished during the holidays, ministerial services offered to 
inmates of the Genesee County Jail, and the annual Free Food Give-Away.
   Mr. Speaker, I applaud the tenacity of the Macedonia Ministry 
Baptist Church and thank them for the service they have provided to the 
City of Flint and surrounding communities.

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