[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 73 (Friday, April 28, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E567]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING THE HISTORICAL MARKER DEDICATION OF THE OLD SMITH POINT 
                           SCHOOLHOUSE/CHURCH

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                            HON. BRIAN BABIN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 28, 2017

  Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Smith Point 
Community Church on its dedication as a new Texas Historical Marker.
   There is over one hundred years of church history wrapped up in what 
was once known as the ``Old Smith Point Schoolhouse/Church.'' The Old 
Smith Point Baptist Church was established in the late 1800's by a 
group of pastors from the neighboring county that were concerned about 
the lack of a church in Chambers County. They agreed to be circuit 
pastors and take turns preaching under a stand of trees, where the 
church now stands. In 1937, the county built the building that is used 
as the current sanctuary, which served a multi-purpose as both a church 
and the first school in Chambers County. In 1948 the church reorganized 
and hired its first pastor, L.J. Hand who served the people of the 
Smith Point Community part time. In 1956, P.L. Smith was hired as the 
church's first full time pastor.
   In 1960, the county sold the building to the church for one dollar 
and the promise that the church would build two public restrooms. At 
the same time, six lots of land right next to the building were gifted 
to the church by E.J. Rosenquest. The building was renovated, under 
then pastor J.R. Gibson, with additional classrooms and the public 
restrooms as promised. The church wanted to build a parsonage for their 
pastor, but had no money or resources to do so. They prayed to God and 
asked him to provide everything they needed in order to get the 
parsonage built. Hurricane Carla occurred in 1961 literally raining 
wood and debris on Smith Point. Those pieces of wood from the hurricane 
were used to build the same parsonage that is still used today.
   In 2007, the church's name was changed to Smith Point Community 
Church and still serves the residents of Chambers County with guidance 
by Reverend Michael K. Graves.
   There is an abundant amount of local history and perseverance behind 
this church. I am proud to have such history in my District. Once 
again, I congratulate Smith Point Community Church and its dedication 
as a new Texas Historical Marker.

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