[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 62 (Wednesday, April 10, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E445]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CELEBRATING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF MT. RONA MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 10, 2019

  Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the legacy 
of Mt. Rona Missionary Baptist Church in Effingham, South Carolina. 
This historic church has served its faithful congregation and the 
community for 150 years. During its remarkable history, Mt. Rona has 
seen tremendous change and growth and provided extraordinary service to 
those in need.
  The founders of Mt. Rona began meeting in the small community of 
Friendfield under a bush arbor in 1869. The congregants continued this 
tradition until in 1905 when they were given the former Mt. Hebron 
Church as its congregation moved to a new sanctuary. Reverend J.R. 
Brooks led the transition to Mt. Rona's new home, and the congregation 
flourished.
  Over the years physical improvements were made to the church. 
Reverend Frank Ham oversaw the installation of a steeple and bell tower 
with a chime. He also added new pews and electricity. Reverend James 
Hall, Jr., created the first pastor's study and an inside baptismal 
pool. Reverend J.L. Lewis and Reverend James Anderson led the bricking 
of the church, and installed carpet and an intercom system.
  When Reverend Tart became the church's leader, he changed the worship 
service from twice monthly to every Sunday. The church purchased 
additional land, built the T.C. Tart Fellowship Hall, added stained 
glass windows, paved the parking lot, and added new restrooms. His 
vision was to build a new church, and in July 2010 construction began. 
Reverend Tart passed away before he saw the church completed, and 
Pastor Parrish Brown saw the project through to completion and became 
the first to serve as the leader of the new Mt. Rona. It was dedicated 
on April 10, 2011.
  Throughout the physical and leadership changes Mt. Rona Missionary 
Baptist Church has held true to its mission to be an outreach ministry 
that provides support and relief to the disheartened, disadvantaged, 
and disenfranchised.
  I ask that my colleagues join me in celebrating the tremendous role 
Mt. Rona Missionary Baptist Church plays in the community and in the 
lives of its parishioners. The church's dedication to help the least of 
these is a reflection of the Biblical teaching that ``faith without 
works is dead.'' I congratulate the Mount Rona Missionary Baptist 
Church on this landmark 150th anniversary and know that the church will 
continue to be a beacon in Florence for many years to come.

                          ____________________