[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 171 (Tuesday, October 16, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1419]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF CHAPEL GROVE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 
                          IN WINDSOR, VIRGINIA

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. ROBERT C. ``BOBBY'' SCOTT

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 16, 2018

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 150th 
anniversary of Chapel Grove United Church of Christ in Windsor, 
Virginia.
  In 1868, founding members of Chapel Grove United Church of Christ 
left Antioch, the Baptist church of their former slave owners where 
they had been forced to worship in the balcony. Led by their 
``Spiritual Leader,'' Isom Lawrence, the congregation began meeting 
under a bush arbor once a month for service. The origins of the church 
starting under a bush arbor is significant. For centuries, African 
slaves traditionally gathered in these sites for religious services. 
Worshippers of Chapel Grove traveled from near and far, and the journey 
was often a full day affair.
  In 1899, Reverend Jetson Copeland and the congregation purchased 
property alongside present day Blackwater Road. After 17 years of 
construction, the church finally opened its doors in 1916. Even after 
several series of remodeling and expansion, the original sanctuary 
remains part of the church's foundation and reminds us of years of 
fellowship and service.
  Originally called Chapel Grove Christian Church, this historic church 
has been renamed several times through the years. After merging with 
the Congregational Church, it was named Chapel Grove Congregational 
Christian Church. In 1957, after merging with the United Church of 
Christ, it procured its current name of Chapel Grove United Church of 
Christ. Today, the church is part of the Eastern Virginia District of 
the Southern Conference of the United Church of Christ. This 
association represents 35 local black churches and 45 local white 
churches and continues to teach the word of God around the nation.
  While Chapel Grove is primarily a place of worship, the church 
provides civic, health, cultural and educational programs that benefit 
the community. A few programs that I would like to highlight are 
``Ident-a-Kid'', Celebrate Recovery and Career Day.
  Additionally, Chapel Grove has sponsored college scholarships, a 
community daycare service called ``Happy Hearts'' and a weekend 
backpack stuffing program for students at Georgie D. Tyler Middle 
School. These programs are made possible by collaborating with local 
governments, including Isle of Wight Sheriff's Department.
  Clearly, Chapel Grove United Church of Christ's congregation takes 
the call to community engagement seriously and that engagement is 
evident in their role in community sponsored events. Parishioners were 
influential in the Town of Windsor's Centennial Celebration and helped 
establish the Schoolhouse Museum in Smithfield, Virginia. Moreover, 
members of Chapel Grove participate in ``Souper Saturday,'' an annual 
community soup lunch charged with raising money to provide financial 
assistance for wintertime heating.
  Mr. Speaker, as Chapel Grove United Church of Christ celebrates this 
historic milestone, its congregation can take pride in an inspiring 150 
years of fellowship, worship and service. I would like to congratulate 
Reverend H. Carlyle Church, Jr. and all the members of the church's 
congregation on this joyous occasion, and I wish them many more years 
full of growth and prosperity.

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