[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 156 (Thursday, September 20, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1270-E1271]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  COMMEMORATING THE SESQUICENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF ST. JOHN AFRICAN 
              METHODIST EPISCOPAL ZION CHURCH--WILSON, NC

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. G.K. BUTTERFIELD

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 20, 2018

  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 150th 
anniversary of St. John African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, 
located in my congressional district and hometown of Wilson, North 
Carolina. St. John has been a beacon of light in the Wilson community 
for 150 long years and has positively affected generations of families. 
I ask

[[Page E1271]]

my colleagues to join me today in congratulating St. John's faithful 
congregation and their ancestors on this auspicious occasion.
  In 1865, the New England Conference of the AME Zion Church deployed 
Reverend James Walker Hood to North Carolina to provide spiritual 
guidance to the 331,000 former slaves and to establish Churches 
throughout the state. Among the first churches established was St. John 
AME Zion Church (1868). Though Hood was met with fierce opposition from 
white Northern Methodists in establishing AME Zion Churches, he was 
unwavering in his commitment to the cause of Christianity as he 
established dozens of Churches across North Carolina.
  Mr. Speaker, much of St. John's growth over the years can be 
attributed to its dedicated leadership and congregation. After a fire 
destroyed the Church's frame in 1909, the Reverend B. P. Coward led the 
Church in building the beautiful and stately building that the Church 
resides in today. Under Reverend Allen J. Kirk's leadership, the Church 
erected a recreational center, started a day nursery, and renovated the 
parsonage. Reverend Dr. Ulysses S. Johnson is the Church's longest 
serving pastor, serving the congregation for over fifteen years. 
Reverend Dr. Johnson led numerous renovations to the Church and served 
the entire community during his tenure. Reverend Staccato Powell (now 
Bishop Staccato Powell) was assigned to St. John early in his pastoral 
career, becoming a ministerial giant who led the Church into continued 
growth. His pastoral leadership became nationally recognized and he now 
serves as Presiding Prelate of the Western Episcopal District.
  Over the years, the Church has been deeply involved in the community, 
providing, among many other things, daily hot lunches to senior 
citizens and educational enrichment to children in Wilson during the 
summer recess as a part of the Youth Enrichment Program. In earlier 
years, St. John operated a Boy Scott organization that impacted the 
lives of hundreds of young men.
  In recent years, the church established St. John Community 
Development Corporation, Inc. and the Smith Street Project to enhance 
the Church's community outreach. St. John continues to meet the 
spiritual and physical needs of its growing congregation through the 
vision and devoted work of its current pastor, Dr. Charlean B. Mapson, 
Presiding Elder and former Pastor, Dr. Michael S. Bell, and Presiding 
Bishop the Right Reverend Dr. Kenneth Monroe.
  Mr. Speaker, by the grace of God, St. John AME Zion Church has been 
standing strong for 150 long years. Her outstanding leadership and 
devoted members have created significant growth in its membership and 
ministry, as well as, its continued outreach in the Wilson community. 
The Church's faithfulness and good deeds will ensure that St. John 
continues to experience God's blessings for years to come.
  On behalf of the United States House of Representatives and the 
people of the First Congressional District of North Carolina, I 
commemorate the 150th anniversary of St. John African Methodist 
Episcopal Zion Church and extend my best wishes to the Pastor and 
members (many of whom are dear friends) on this auspicious occasion.

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