[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 174 (Friday, October 26, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1469-E1470]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF OLIVE BRANCH BAPTIST CHURCH IN 
                          PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA

                                  _____
                                 

                     HON. ROBERT C. ``BOBBY'' SCOTT

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 26, 2018

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 125th 
anniversary of Olive Branch Baptist Church in Portsmouth, Virginia.
  Olive Branch Baptist Church was formed in 1893 when a small group of 
parishioners separated from Zion Baptist Church and formed Zion's 
Chapel. Under the leadership of Dr. John Armistead, Zion's Chapel was 
established in a nearby facility called Copeland's Hall and attracted 
worshippers two Sundays each month.
  By 1897, membership had grown so large that a new and larger location 
was necessary. With assistance from their mother church, Zion Baptist 
Church, Zion's Chapel was able to purchase an older sanctuary, 
previously known as Olive Branch Methodist Church. With the guidance of 
Reverend H.W. Chiles, the new church was renamed Olive Branch Baptist 
Church.
  It is impossible to commemorate the 125th anniversary of this 
historic church without recognizing former pastors. Reverend H.W. 
Chiles served as the first pastor of Olive Branch Baptist Church. Under 
his leadership, the Sunday School, the Home Mission Circle and the 
Senior Choir was established.
  In 1905, Dr. H. L. Barco took the helm. During his 11-year tenure, 
the church did very well financially and was able to pay off the 
church's mortgage. In addition, he organized the Foreign Mission Circle 
and the Senior Usher Board.
  Olive Branch Baptist Church's first male auxiliary was established in 
1918 when Reverend A. S. Hoard was installed as the third

[[Page E1470]]

pastor. The auxiliary was responsible for installing the bell that 
still sits inside the belfry today.
  Despite the absence of a pastor from 1926 to 1928, Olive Branch 
Baptist Church continued to grow. During these years, the church 
purchased land adjacent to the church grounds to serve as a parking lot 
and cemetery.
  Beginning in 1928, Reverend J.W. Shaffer served as Shepherd of the 
flock. During his five-year tenure, Olive Branch Baptist Church 
continued to attract local residents and spread the good word of God.
  Reverend Lamar Sharp served as the fifth pastor of Olive Branch 
Baptist Church. He was a resident of Norfolk, Virginia, and traveled to 
preach on the first and third Sunday of every month for 27 years. Due 
to poor health, Reverend Sharp retired in 1963 and his nephew, Reverend 
James Benjamin Sharp, was chosen as the sixth pastor of Olive Branch 
Baptist Church.
  During Reverend James Sharp's pastorate, on January 5, 1986, Olive 
Branch Baptist Church suffered a fire. God's grace provided that little 
damage occurred to the sanctuary, however the congregation was forced 
to relocate to another church during the four-month repair.
  Reverend James Sharp retired on December 31, 2000, after serving 37 
years. Upon his retirement, the members of Olive Branch Baptist Church 
presented him with the honorary title of Pastor Emeritus.
  From 2001 until 2003, Olive Branch Baptist Church was once again 
without a pastor. However, after a three-year search, the pulpit Search 
Committee chose Reverend Ernest L. Reid as their seventh pastor. He was 
Olive Branch Baptist Church's youngest pastor and gave new life to the 
mission of the church.
  Olive Branch Baptist Church's current pastor is Reverend Michael L. 
Williams. Reverend Williams was installed on March 30, 2014 and is the 
eighth pastor in Olive Branch Baptist Church's 125 years of service to 
the Portsmouth community. His vision for the church is simple--Bridge 
the Past; Bless the Present; Build the Future. Over the four years that 
he has served as pastor, Reverend Williams has revitalized the Men's 
Ministry and Nursing Ministry and formed the Women's, Culinary and 
Mentoring Ministries. Through these organizations, Reverend Williams, 
along with Olive Branch Baptist Church's congregation, is continuing to 
build a church that worships, witnesses and serves with a spirit of 
excellence.
  Mr. Speaker, as Olive Branch Baptist Church celebrates this historic 
milestone, its congregation can take pride in an inspiring 125 years of 
fellowship, worship and service. I would like to congratulate Reverend 
Michael L. Williams 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.

                          ____________________