[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 87 (Friday, May 19, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E681-E682]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING METROPOLITAN BAPTIST CHURCH ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 52ND 
                              ANNIVERSARY

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. G.K. BUTTERFIELD

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 19, 2017

  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate the 52nd 
Anniversary of Metropolitan Baptist Church located in my Congressional 
district in the City of Rocky Mount, North Carolina. This Church has 
been a beacon of light in the community for more than half a century 
and has positively impacted generations of families in eastern North 
Carolina.
  Metropolitan Baptist Church was founded on May 4, 1965, by a group of 
devout Christians eager to proclaim the goodness of the Lord. The 
Church's first worship service was held just five days later on May 9, 
1965 in the auditorium of the Lincoln School. Reverend Benjamin 
Daniels, a Shaw University ministerial student, was the first to preach 
at Metropolitan. Despite these humble beginnings, the congregation 
remained faithful and steadfast and would go on to grow by leaps and 
bounds.
  On July 23, 1967, Metropolitan Baptist Church held a groundbreaking 
ceremony to commemorate construction of a sanctuary at 1213 Leggett 
Road, where it still stands today. Reverend John W. Fleming presided 
over the first worship service in the new edifice on July 14, 1968.
  Under the leadership of Reverend Dr. J. E. Arnette, Metropolitan 
Baptist Church continued to grow both physically and spiritually. Dr. 
Arnette oversaw the establishment of Boy and Girl Scout Troops, a Young 
Adult Sunday School Class, and provided food for needy families. These 
good deeds led to Metropolitan Baptist Church to be ranked 12th out of 
more than 1,700 Baptist Churches in North Carolina by the General 
Baptist State Convention of North Carolina.
  Reverend Raymond L. Privott succeeded Dr. Arnette and continued the 
tradition of providing outreach services that enhanced the growth and 
development of children. This included providing tutoring in community 
schools and providing preliminary SAT studies that greatly benefited 
young people in the Rocky Mount area.
  Reverend Norman T. Davis served as interim pastor for two and a half 
years and continued Metropolitan Baptist Church's commitment to both 
God and the community. He was followed by Pastor Richard Allen Gerald, 
who has served as Senior Pastor of Metropolitan since 2004 and has been 
the spiritual leader to many families and individuals. His strong faith 
in God and preparedness for the ministry, has earned him a stellar 
reputation among Christian believers throughout our great state.
  Mr. Speaker, by the grace of God, Metropolitan Baptist Church has 
been blessed for 52 long years as it has witnessed for Christ each and 
every day. The Church's faithfulness and scripture-based ministry will 
ensure that Metropolitan continues to thrive for years to come.
  On behalf of the United States House of Representatives and the 
people of the First

[[Page E682]]

Congressional District of North Carolina, I extend to the Pastor and 
Members of Metropolitan Baptist Church my best wishes on this 
auspicious occasion.

                          ____________________