[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 62 (Saturday, April 8, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E491-E492]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





               HONORING LEBANON MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Saturday, April 8, 2017

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
resourceful church, Lebanon Missionary Baptist Church.
  The Lebanon Missionary Baptist Church had its beginning in 1869, when 
the congregation worshipped under a ``brush arbor'' with the Reverend 
David Adams serving as pastor and founder.
  Realizing the need for a structure in which to worship, the pastor 
and members put forth every effort to design and construct the first 
church. The building was erected approximately 60 to 70 feet from the 
old church site.
  As we look back over the 147-year history of Lebanon, we are reminded 
of the loyal devotion of the early pioneers and their steadfastness to 
the cause of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We attribute any success or 
progress of this church to their loyalty.
  The Reverend David Adams served faithfully as pastor until his death; 
and the Reverend Riley Russell accepted the call as pastor and served 
diligently until his death. Some of the early pastors were the 
Reverends: S.D. Smith, Joe Baskin, Dan Anderson, Connelly, and J. A. 
Johnson. Pleasant Fractions: Jimmy Mines; and J. Carter.
  The Lebanon Missionary Baptist Church is recognized as the oldest 
land grant church in this area. It has served as a torch shining forth 
``her'' brilliant light in this community. This light of hope and 
compassion has compelled many to come to Christ.
  No church can survive without the dedicated cooperation of its 
members. The long, successful history of Lebanon is due to the 
dedicated, cooperative efforts of the many pastors, deacons, church 
mothers, and general congregation.
  Some of the early deacons were: Brothers Joe Hodges; Pink Roseby; Ben 
Friar; C. H. Benson; R. B. Roseby; Richard Epps; Michael C. Smith; 
George Friar; and Tom Randle.
  In 1912, the first church was destroyed by a violent storm. The force 
of the storm served as the epitome for the rebuilding of the second 
church, and its completion was the epoch of the old church site.
  Some of the pioneer members of the Mothers Board were: Sisters 
Ophelia Anderson; Mary Benson; Sara Smith; Mary Anderson; Lucy Hunter; 
Hassie Montgomery; Harriet Craighead; Mattie L. Benson; Martha Ross 
Benson; and Sallie Epps.
  Still moving forward, the Reverend A. W. Jones accepted the call as 
pastor. He served well until his accepting the call of another church. 
Following Reverend Jones, the Reverends: C. D. Brown; C. L. Clark; 
George Harper; Aaron Barron; and Melvin Lewis served as pastor of 
Lebanon.
  Deacons serving under these administrations were: Brothers West 
Benson; Eddie Donelson; Leslie Hodges; Edgar Waddell; Pinkney Benson; 
Daniel Mickey; Daniel Kimbrough; Ira Blake; Mack Friar; O. W. Hodges; 
Mack McKennie; Samuel Friar; Charles Quincy Spurlin; Jessie Harmon; L. 
B. Hathorn; Alphonso Wright; Jacob J. McClain; and Charlie Benson.
  The Mothers Board consisted of: Sisters Harriet Friar, Hallie 
Donelson, Elmira Horton, Minnie Hodges, Lyda Friar, Mary V. Hodges, 
Rebecca Kimbrough, Bessie Green, Roberta Blake, Priscilla Benson, 
Lillie Waddell, Mamie McKennie, Mary L. Friar, Mattie L. Hodges, 
Paralee McClain, Frankie Hodges, Eula Spurlin, Callie McKennie, Willie 
Mae Meeks, Ollie Harmon, and Olivia Garnett.
  The edifice of the old church underwent many changes such as: 
lowering the ceilings; modern light fixtures; paneling of the 
sanctuary; bricking; and the construction of a kitchen and fellowship 
hall. Sanctuary pews, a communion table, and new pulpit furniture were 
purchased to enhance the decor of the church. These ventures of 
improvement were all completed under the leadership of the Reverend 
Aaron Barron.
  Reverend Barron served as pastor for 27 consecutive years. He was a 
faithful and dynamic minister of the Gospel. During his administration, 
many souls realized the need for peace in their lives--that peace that 
surpassed all understanding--and accepted Christ as their personal 
Savior. Reverend Aaron Barron exchanged mortality for immortality and 
entered unto eternity in October 1983, while serving as pastor of 
Lebanon.
  In January 1984, the Reverend Melvin B. Lewis accepted the call and 
served as pastor until 1987. Under the leadership of Reverend Lewis, a 
pastor's study was constructed, central heat and air conditioning was 
installed, and an organ was purchased for the sanctuary.
  In June 1987, the Reverend J.W. Redmond accepted the call to serve as 
pastor of Lebanon. The church was blessed with many members, an 
Inspirational Choir, and Evangelist Quinzola McKennie.
  Brothers: Coy Henderson; Leslie McKennie; Charlie Wright; Larry 
McKennie; and Paul Gilmore were installed as deacons. Installed on the 
Mothers Board were Sisters: Ola Mae Bailey, Priscilla Anderson, Grace 
Kimbrough, Rose Gibson, and as Deaconess were Sisters: Minnie McKennie, 
Sharon Wright, and Annie Gilmore.
  Under the leadership of Reverend Redmond, a new roof was installed on 
the church, the choir stand was elevated and carpeted, floral 
arrangements and doors were added to the sanctuary. Following the 
leadership of the pastor, the Lebanon Inspirational Choir dedicated to 
the church some choir robes, and added mirrors and double doors to the 
sanctuary, remodeled and refurnished the pastor's study. The Friar and 
Montgomery families dedicated chandeliers to enhance the entrance of 
the church.
  Reverend Redmond exchanged mortality for immortality and entered unto 
eternity in January 2000, while serving as pastor of Lebanon Church.
  After the death of Reverend Redmond, the Reverend Walter Eskridge, 
Jr. accepted the call to serve as pastor of the Lebanon Missionary 
Baptist Church in October 2000.
  Under the leadership of Reverend Eskridge, the church has been 
blessed with many new members and rededications. A new church building 
was erected on land given to the church by Sis. Earsalean McClain's 
family, and the doors were opened for the first service on July 4, 
2004; new choir robes were purchased for LSC, LIC, and LYC; a 
television and VCR were purchased through the aid of the Home Mission 
Society; Discipleship and New Members classes were started; the 
Fellowship Hall has been named the Earsalean McClain Fellowship Hall in 
memory of Sis. Earsalean McClain; the Educational Wing has been named 
the Martha Ross Benson Educational Wing in memory of Sis. Martha Ross 
Benson; each classroom has been named in memory of: Class No. 1--Deacon 
Samuel Friar; Class No. 2--Mother Elmira Horton; Class No. 3--Mother 
Lillie Waddell; Nursery-Mothers Callie McKennie and Roberta Blake; 
Choir Room--Sister Levirda Dixon and Bro. Eric Friar; and the Business 
Office in honor of Deacon Jessie Harmon; and the church is growing 
through his ministry. A new roof ``The Red Top'' was installed on the 
church. On June 7, 2015 Bro. Andrew Lee Brown was crowned as Deacon.
  The Lebanon Missionary Baptist Church's current Deacons and Trustees 
Board members are Brothers: Jessie Harmon; Coy Henderson; Lawrence 
McKennie; Andrew Brown; and Sisters: Lula Friar; Lillie Benson Green 
and Earline Wright Hart.
  The present Mothers Board members are Sisters: Ollie Harmon and 
Deaconess, Sister Annie Gilmore.
  Through these many years of service to God and mankind, the Lebanon 
Missionary Baptist Church has survived many trials and tribulations, 
but are determined that forces of evil will not hinder them nor 
separate them from the love of God.
  The torch carried by the pioneer members of the Lebanon Missionary 
Baptist Church, cast rays of light across their pathway. This light 
gives the church hope of a brighter future for the church. Those 
following will raise that torch high and keep the light burning bright. 
They will trim their lamps, put on the whole armor of God, and continue 
to hold up the blood stained banner.
  It is with this same spirit as soldiers going forth to war, accented 
with Christian love, devotion and dedication to the cause of the 
Kingdom, which the history of the Lebanon Missionary Baptist Church 
continues.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 
historic Lebanon Missionary Baptist Church.

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