[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 61 (Wednesday, April 20, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E547]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY FOR ST. MARK'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

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                     HON. ROBERT C. ``BOBBY'' SCOTT

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 20, 2016

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor St. Mark's 
Episcopal Church in Richmond, Virginia on its 150th anniversary.
  Founded in 1866, St. Mark's was originally a mission church of St. 
James and the congregation grew rapidly. After outgrowing three 
buildings in their first 50 years, church leaders moved the 
congregation to a new building in the West End of Richmond. The 
Georgian Revival style building opened in 1922, was consecrated in 
1946, and is still in use today.
  Under the leadership of Rev. Edward Meeks ``Pope'' Gregory, St. 
Mark's was the first Episcopal church in Richmond to integrate its 
parish in 1967. Rev. Gregory invited the members of the Osgood Memorial 
Episcopal Church, to join St. Mark's congregation after they were 
displaced by the building of the downtown expressway.
  Over the last 150 years, St. Mark's has continued to be a leader in 
the Richmond community. In the 1980s, the church offered compassionate 
responses and funeral services to victims of HIV/AIDS, as well as 
starting the Richmond AIDS Ministry. More recently, St. Mark's has 
proudly performed wedding ceremonies for all couples.
  Today, St. Mark's hosts fundraisers for the Fan Free Clinic, provides 
cooling centers in the summer months, serves as a food pantry twice a 
month, provides school supplies to a nearby school, and is continuously 
involved with the Richmond community. Additionally, this summer, in 
honor of their 150th anniversary, St. Mark's will re-launch a 
neighborhood summer reading program for elementary school students.
  Mr. Speaker, as St. Mark's Episcopal Church celebrates this historic 
anniversary, the congregation can rejoice in 150 years of fellowship. I 
wish them many more years of dedicated service to the Richmond 
community.

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