[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 123 (Friday, July 31, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1197]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN RECOGNITION OF FIRST AFRICAN BAPTIST CHURCH'S 175TH ANNIVERSARY

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                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 31, 2015

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor and pleasure to 
extend my sincere congratulations to the congregation of First African 
Baptist Church in Columbus, Georgia as the church's membership and 
leadership celebrate a remarkable 175 years. The congregation of First 
African Baptist Church will celebrate this very significant anniversary 
with a Jubilee Celebration on Sunday, August 9, 2015 at the church in 
Columbus, Georgia.
  Tracing its roots back to the antebellum South, African Baptist 
Church was founded by slaves in 1840 in a building on the corner of 
Third Avenue and Twelfth Street in Columbus, only blocks away from the 
Chattahoochee River. This building was the sanctuary formerly used by 
First Baptist Church, which was established in 1829 as the first church 
in Columbus.
  Though founded by slaves, First African Baptist Church was pastored 
by white ministers during its first twenty-two years. Possessing a 
spirit of love and acceptance for all of humankind regardless of skin 
color that was unique in this time period and in this society, the 
members of the church opened its doors to all in Columbus who felt the 
call to worship. By 1858, 731 professed believers had been baptized by 
the church--390 white and 341 black.
  From its inception through 1915, the church relocated three times to 
accommodate its congregation that swelled with the development of the 
City of Columbus. The second location was a frame building located at 
the corner of St. Clair and Front Street, now known as Eleventh and 
Front. In 1881, the Georgia General Assembly gave the land site located 
at Eleventh Street and Sixth Avenue to the church, and it was renamed 
the Six Avenue Baptist Church. This site is now occupied by Golden 
Foundry and Machine Company.
  The current location is on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Ninth 
Street, where the church was renamed the First African Baptist Church 
in 1915. Along with the 175th anniversary of the church's existence, 
today I celebrate with the congregation of First African Baptist the 
centennial of the church's current location.
  Throughout the years, the church would be remodeled and renovated 
several times. With these aesthetic changes came changes to the church 
mission. Today, under the leadership of Reverend Roderick B. Green, the 
church continues to grow and change with the vision of holistic 
transformation and continual improvement in Christ.
  The story of First African Baptist Church, which began as a small 
group of people worshipping 175 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 First African 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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