[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 120 (Monday, July 25, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1166]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING MILLS GROVE CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST)

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 25, 2016

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mills Grove Christian 
Church (Disciples of Christ) located in Oakland, California upon its 
41st Anniversary as a strong religious pillar in the East Bay 
community.
  Mills Grove Christian Church (Disciples of Christ ) is a product of a 
merger between two Bay Area Disciples of Christ Congregations: Mills 
Terrace Christian Church in Oakland, a predominantly Angelo-American 
congregation and Grove Street Christian Church in Berkeley, whose 
membership was largely African-American.
  Mills Terrace Christian Church was formed in the home of Mr. and Mrs. 
F.E. Wixon in 1926. The congregation soon outgrew the home, and with 26 
Sunday school students and four teachers, the church moved into a tent 
on MacArthur Boulevard. The tent was later moved to Kingsland & Madera 
Streets and with 34 members, the church was officially organized. In 
1927, the church purchased a building on Brann & Morcom Streets for 
$8,000.00. In the 1940's the building was moved on rollers to the 
current location at 5410 Fleming Avenue.
  Grove Street Christian Church, under the leadership of Rev. Willie D. 
Elder and Mr. Norman Harper, was started in 1947 to serve persons of 
color and others who desired to worship in the Disciples of Christ 
denomination. Initially, the group organized as Second Christian 
Church, which quickly gained momentum. In September of 1949, the 
congregation invited Reverend Dr. Peter C. Washington, former President 
of Jarvis Christian College in Hawkins, Texas, to serve as their 
minister. The church quickly grew to 103 active members and the search 
began for a more permanent church home. On May 2, 1954 the church moved 
to a new location on Grove & Parker Streets in Berkeley, thus renaming 
the church, Grove Street Christian Church.
  In 1970, Mills Terrace was becoming an aging Congregation, with the 
median age of the 22 members hovering at 60. After conversations about 
a creative solution to this dilemma, Mills Terrace reached out to its 
sister congregation, Grove Street Christian Church, to being 
discussions of merging. Ultimately, the DOC congregations became one 
within the Body of Christ and on Pentecost Sunday, May 18, 1975, the 
merger was completed as the new name, Mills Grove Christian Church 
(Disciples of Christ). Since 2007, the church has been pastored by its 
committed, brilliant and spirit filled pastor, Rev. Clarence Johnson, 
who leads with humility and love.
  Mills Grove Christian Church continues to serve the community today 
with four major ministry goals: Evangelism & Outreach, Youth Emphasis, 
Stewardship & Finance, and Worship & Praise. The congregation worships 
under the motto ``Live Rejoicing . . . Everyday!'' based on Psalm 
118:24; St. John 10:10b; and, Philippians 4:4.
  On behalf of the residents of California's 13th Congressional 
District, I extend my sincerest congratulations to Mills Grove 
Christian Church (DOC) on the special occasion of its 41st anniversary. 
I wish Mills Grove Christian Church many more years of faithful, 
compassionate, and visionary service.

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