[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 176 (Friday, November 2, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1487]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





       HONORING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH IN 
                            PORTAGEVILLE, MO

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JASON SMITH

                              of missouri

                  in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 2, 2018

  Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor First 
Baptist Church of Portageville, Missouri on the occasion of its 150th 
Anniversary.
  The church was founded on November 4th of 1868, when a small group in 
Portageville organized around a collective sense of faith and worship. 
The original congregation met in a log building erected in the 1850's, 
later moving into the local masonic lodge, which they shared with the 
freemasons. Since the early 1900's, First Baptist Church has met in one 
of three buildings at its current location.
  First Baptist Church has the distinction of being the oldest church 
in the membership of the New Madrid Baptist Association, which is 
composed of the Southern Baptist congregations in New Madrid and 
Pemiscot Counties.
  Today, the church has 306 members and is involved in local and 
nationwide missions. The church provides Bibles for distribution 
through the local RAIN (Reaching All In Need) Food Ministry, and also 
hosts weekly meetings for foster parent training.
  For continuing its work of proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ 
through 150 years of change and challenge, it is my great pleasure to 
honor First Baptist Church today before the United States House of 
Representatives.

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