[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 166 (Monday, October 16, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1381]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF COLOSSIAN BAPTIST CHURCH

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                     HON. ROBERT C. ``BOBBY'' SCOTT

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 16, 2017

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 150th 
anniversary of Colossian Baptist Church in Newport News, Virginia.
  Colossian Baptist Church was established in 1867 on Mulberry Island, 
Virginia. Reverend Henry Harris and Reverend Walter Williams worked 
together to organize the church along with other members of the First 
Baptist Church in Hampton and locals from the Island. The group began 
to meet together with the hope that they could build a congregation 
born out of community and anchored in faith. These early services were 
held in a barn on Mulberry Island's Follies Farm, led by Reverend 
Williams.
  Reverend Williams served as the church's pastor for its first five 
years. Following his service, he was succeeded by Reverend Thomas Poole 
in 1872 and Reverend Thomas Wright in 1887.
  The congregation of Colossian Baptist Church continued worship in the 
Follies Farm Barn until it burned down in a fire. Reverend Aaron Wyatt, 
elected as pastor in 1894, oversaw the church's transition into their 
new building.
  The church was then rebuilt in 1915 following a devastating 
windstorm, but the congregation soon needed to move again. In response 
to the outbreak of World War I, the United States Army bought and 
repurposed the Colossian Baptist Church property. That area is 
currently the United States Army Transportation Center at Fort Eustis, 
Virginia. Following their displacement, the church moved to Newport 
News, and has remained there ever since.
  Reverend Irvin D. Melvin was named the first full-time pastor of 
Colossian Baptist Church in 1989, and the church has only grown 
stronger since that time through the expansion of their music, 
fellowship, and youth programs.
  Reverend Peter A. Evans became the church's third full-time pastor in 
1999. Under his leadership, the church broke ground on a new edifice in 
2005, and construction was successfully completed in 2006.
  Over the years, Colossian Baptist Church has continued to grow as it 
expands its outreach to the community. The church works with Greenwood 
Elementary School in a partnership dedicated to mentoring young men. 
Since 2014, the church has overseen the ``Christmas House'' program 
during December, which serves the local community by providing an 
avenue for the needy to access clothing, food, and more free of charge.
  Over the last 150 years, Colossian Baptist Church has been served by 
many dedicated men of faith--Rev. Henry Harris, Rev. Walter Williams, 
Rev. Thomas Poole, Rev. Thomas Wright, Rev. Aaron Wyatt, Rev. Frank 
Ashby, Rev. David D. Harris, Rev. Thomas Ash, Rev. Andrew D. Holmes, 
Rev. Frank Rylander, Rev. William Cheeseman, Rev. Elick Edlow, Rev. 
James M. Lee, Rev. Irvin D. Melvin, Rev. Steven W. Banks, Rev. Lloyd 
Williams, Sr., and Rev. Peter A. Evans.
  Mr. Speaker, as Colossian Baptist Church of Newport News, Virginia 
celebrates this historic milestone, its congregation can rejoice in 150 
years of successful discipleship and service to the Hampton Roads 
community. I would like to congratulate Reverend Peter A. Evans and all 
of the members of the church's congregation. I hope that their next 150 
years proves to be as rewarding and fruitful as the first.

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