[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 125 (Tuesday, July 25, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1048]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF ST. PAUL MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 25, 2017

  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great pleasure and 
enthusiasm to congratulate St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Toledo 
on the church's 100th anniversary. The history of this amazing 
congregation begins in the home of Mrs. Mamie Porter on Howard Street 
in Toledo, where, on July 12, 1917, the families of Westly Davis, 
Robert Christian and Sally McElya met for their first worship service.
  During the course of the next year, the congregation grew which 
resulted in the formal organization of the church, which they named St. 
Paul. From the start, the church was a community anchor.
  Over the years that followed, there were numerous challenges and 
difficulties that the small congregation overcame, including 
worshipping in several locations, until finding a home at 654 Hamilton 
for many years. The current location of St. Paul's, 1502 N. Detroit 
Avenue, was purchased in 1958 from the United Brethren Church and has 
been the congregation's home since that time.
  There have been a number of shepherds of the St. Paul congregation. 
Rev. Joseph Smith served as a visionary and dedicated leader of the 
congregation from 1928 until his death in 1969. To date he is the 
longest serving Pastor.
  On October 25, 1969, Rev. John H. McKissick assumed the leadership of 
St. Paul. Inspired by the guidance of Rev. and Mrs. McKissick, the 
church initiated a Watch Care Program, a Department of Evangelism and 
an Annual Week-End Youth Seminar. A Credit Union was also established 
as a benefit for the members.
  After 16 years of dedicated service Rev. McKissick retired on 
December 31, 1985, however, he remained as Interim until the search for 
a new pastor was concluded.
  From 1986 to 2003, the following Pastors served the congregation of 
St. Paul: Dr. Irece T. Bradley, Rev. Julius Minor (Interim), Rev. Floyd 
Smith and Rev. James R. Glover.
  During this timeframe new programs and ministries were established, 
such as: Moments in Mission, Christian Education, The Sharing Place, 
Tiny Tot Worship and the Mass Choir.
  Rev. James H. Willis, Sr. was elected as Pastor on October 19, 2003. 
He has exemplified enthusiasm and an unwavering commitment to the 
spiritual growth of the church. Some of the ministries established 
during his tenure include: Noon Day Prayer and Bible Study, Young Adult 
Ministry, Young Adult Monthly Faith Friday, Young Adult Praise Dance 
Ministry and Young Adult Usher Board. A Youth Minister was appointed in 
2016.
  St. Paul has modernized its ministry by providing a live stream of 
Sunday morning worship service, establishing a text alert notification 
system and installing a projector unit in the sanctuary.
  The St. Paul Church Family is blessed to still have 28 ``Pioneers'' 
who have maintained membership for over 50 years, and most of them 
still remain actively engaged in church activities.
  St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church is a magnificent example of all 
that a spiritual home should be, rendering indelible service to the 
Toledo community for the past 100 years. Living the Gospel, St. Paul's 
congregation looks back on a century of spreading the Word and sharing 
Christ's message of Love while looking forward to a future of spiritual 
service.
  Romans 10:17 tells us, ``Consequently, faith comes from hearing the 
message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.'' I am 
pleased to join our community in recognizing the milestone centennial 
celebration of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church.

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