[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 31 (Tuesday, February 19, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E189-E190]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNIZING SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH OF ELGIN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. RAJA KRISHNAMOORTHI

                               of ilinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 19, 2019

  Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor Second 
Baptist Church of Elgin, a spiritual pillar of the Elgin, Illinois 
African-American community for over 150 years. During Black History 
Month, I want to celebrate the beginnings of this vibrant congregation 
and the important contributions it has made over its long and rich 
history.
  The first African-American residents of Elgin, former slaves who 
sought shelter with Union Troops after the battle of Shiloh, arrived in 
1862. These newly freed citizens, regarded as ``contraband'' property 
seized by Union armies, were sent north in Union railway cars.

[[Page E190]]

With the assistance of clergy from First Baptist Church of Elgin, they 
settled in the area to form the cornerstone of a new African-American 
community. Desirous of having a place of worship they could call their 
own, the newcomers founded Second Baptist Church of Elgin on December 
2, 1866.
  Under the leadership of Reverend Dr. Nathaniel Edmund, affectionately 
known as Pastor Nate, Second Baptist Church honors the determination 
and courage of its founders with its sacred presence and community 
involvement. The church is a spiritual home to thousands of worshipers, 
and in 2008 expanded its capacity to serve with the construction of an 
award-winning multi-purpose building adding classrooms, a nursery, a 
welcome center, and a recreation and performance auditorium to its 
campus. In recent years, Second Baptist Church has broadened its reach 
through initiatives including the Prison Ministry, the ``Operation 
Joshua'' street ministry, and the SAFE Ministry to break the cycle of 
domestic violence. The church partners with Sheridan Elementary School 
and Larsen Middle School to mentor and tutor students identified as at-
risk youth and has hosted numerous summits on issues of concern to the 
community. And emblematic of the church's outward focus, Pastor Nate 
has served on boards or in other capacities for a variety of important 
organizations in the Elgin area, including the Alignment Collaborative 
for Education, Advocate Sherman Hospital, the United Way of Elgin, 
Judson University, U-46 School District, the NAACP of Greater Elgin, 
and the African-American Christian Ministers Alliance of Elgin.
  The ministry of Second Baptist Church is not limited to the local 
community, and an important part of its mission is to provide comfort 
and support wherever the need is most urgent. In the aftermath of 
Hurricane Katrina, Second Baptist Church rallied to aid families 
rendered homeless by the storm's devastation and adopted survivors who 
resettled in the Elgin area. In 2007, as part of its effort to support 
the ongoing ministry of World Vision, the church extended its 
generosity and compassion to a community in Tanzania, helping to build 
a housing complex for teachers and pledging continuing monetary support 
to over 130 Tanzanian children.
  I believe the newly emancipated founders of Second Baptist Church 
would be deeply gratified by the congregation they established, now 
spanning three centuries of service. Madam Speaker, I want to recognize 
this profoundly American story of faith, determination, and good works, 
and acknowledge the tireless service of Second Baptist Church of Elgin 
to our community in the 8th Congressional District, as well as to all 
in need throughout the world.

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