[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 142 (Friday, September 6, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1102]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN HONOR OF THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH HUNTSVILLE 175TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEVIN BRADY

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 6, 2019

  Mr. BRADY. Madam Speaker, today I rise in celebration of the 175th 
Anniversary of the First Baptist Church of Huntsville, Texas.
  On September 16, 1844, Rev. Z.N. Morrell, Thomas Horsely, and Rev. 
Benjamin Fry established the First Baptist Church of Huntsville, Texas. 
The early congregation met in the Dean School House until their first 
building was constructed on the corner of 13th Street and Avenue J, 
where the church still stands today. The President of Baylor 
University, Dr. Rufus C. Burleson, preached the opening ceremony 
sermon.
  Legendary Texas figure General Sam Houston and his wife were among 
the first members of the First Baptist Church. In fact, a swimming pool 
at Houston's residence was used by the early congregation for baptisms 
and church ceremonies.
  In 1891, the congregation built a second building for worship 
services, which stood until 1924 when the congregation decided to 
construct an elegant four-story, red-brick church with tall white 
pillars and stained glass windows on the second floor.
  In a terrible tragedy, the new church building caught on fire in 
1954, and congregation member and college student James E.V. Davis lost 
his life. Thankfully, members of the congregation were able to save 
church records, nursery furniture, an organ, and even some pews. The 
church then held services in a local high school auditorium until the 
fourth and final church building opened on December 11, 1955. In 1985, 
the First Baptist Church added a new Family Life Center, which offered 
sporting facilities, locker rooms, a kitchen, and a parlor to it's 
members.
  For the past 175 years, The First Baptist Church of Hunstville, Texas 
has stood as a reminder of the meaning of community and resilience. 
Please join me in celebrating this momentous anniversary, and 
remembering the people whose desire to worship created a rich history 
of knowing, following, and sharing in Christ.

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