[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 159 (Friday, October 4, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1245-E1246]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNITION OF THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE WEST HARPETH PRIMITIVE 
                             BAPTIST CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARK E. GREEN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 4, 2019

  Mr. GREEN of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
150th Anniversary of the West Harpeth Primitive Baptist Church.
  The West Harpeth Primitive Baptist Church was founded circa 1869 
under the leadership of Elder Peter Starnes. The first congregants were 
former slaves upon whose strong Christian faith the church was founded.
  The land was purchased in 1881 and the initial facility was 
constructed on the property. The land, located near Old West Harpeth 
Road, is the same site on which their building

[[Page E1246]]

stands today. The facility was rebuilt in 1948 and around that time, a 
separate building was constructed, consisting of a dining room and two 
restrooms accessed from the outside.
  The church was remodeled in 1968 under the pastorate of Elder Walter 
E. Rodgers. Later in 1986, under the pastorate of Elder Hewitt C. 
Sawyers, the building was expanded to include a baptistry and indoor 
restrooms. In 1998, a major renovation was done which included the 
construction of a new sanctuary, offices, and classrooms. Throughout 
the church's 150 years, there have been only six pastors.
  The church is hosting the 150th Church Anniversary Celebration on 
October 27, 2019 at 3 p.m., where they will dedicate a historical 
marker.
  Madam Speaker, I would like to congratulate West Harpeth Primitive 
Baptist Church and their congregants on the historic occasion of their 
150th Anniversary, and I know there will be many more years in kingdom 
building for Christ and service to their community.

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