[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 161 (Friday, September 28, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1331]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     SAINT AMBROSE EPISCOPAL CHURCH: 150 YEARS OF FAITHFUL WITNESS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DAVID E. PRICE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 28, 2018

  Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate 
the 150th anniversary of Saint Ambrose Episcopal Church, located in the 
district I represent in Raleigh, North Carolina.
   Saint Ambrose was founded in 1868 as a ministry to recently 
emancipated persons of African ancestry. At its founding, Saint Ambrose 
Church was the worshiping community associated with Saint Augustine's 
College. Reverend Jacob Brinton Smith was the first pastor, and the 
first building was placed on a tract authorized by the North Carolina 
legislature in downtown Raleigh.
   In 1896, under the leadership of Rev. James E. King, St. Ambrose 
became a free-standing congregation. Shortly thereafter, parishioners 
moved the entire building one mile, to the corner of South Wilmington 
and Cabarrus Streets, and renovated the church to include education 
rooms and a rectory. In the 1950's, under the leadership of Rev. George 
A. Fisher, the church attained parish status, becoming the first 
historically African American mission in the Episcopal Diocese of North 
Carolina to do so.
   My own ties to St. Ambrose date to the long tenure (1959-98) of a 
wonderful pastor, Rev. Arthur Calloway, who also served three terms on 
the Raleigh City Council. Father Calloway oversaw the construction of 
the church's present facility on Darby Street in 1965 and the addition 
of an education wing in 1987. He was a civil rights leader, a prophetic 
voice in the community, and a mentor to many--among whom I am 
privileged to count myself.
   Today, Saint Ambrose continues in this strong tradition of ministry 
and service, led by an inspiring young pastor, Rev. Robert Jermonde 
Taylor. He was preceded by Rev. Kimberly Lucas, the first female rector 
and the first African American woman ordained priest in the diocese.
   As we look back at the legacy of Saint Ambrose, we give thanks for 
the church's positive impact on the lives of countless citizens in 
Raleigh and the surrounding communities. The congregation has set a 
powerful example by proclaiming the gospel faithfully and ministering 
to the community in multiple ways--ranging from tutoring at-risk youth 
to partnering with Raleigh Urban Ministries, Alcoholics and Narcotics 
Anonymous, and Partners for Environmental Justice. On behalf of North 
Carolina's congressional delegation and my constituents in the Fourth 
District, I am pleased to offer my congratulations to the leaders, 
congregants, and friends of Saint Ambrose Episcopal Church as they 
celebrate their 150th Anniversary and look forward to the decades of 
ministry and service to come.

                          ____________________