[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 135 (Thursday, July 30, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E707-E708]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 FRANKLIN FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JAMES COMER

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 30, 2020

  Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the bicentennial 
celebration of Franklin First United Methodist Church in Franklin, 
Kentucky. Shortly after the town was surveyed in 1820, the Union Church 
was established where Presbyterians, Methodists and Baptists would all 
hold services. Franklin First would go on to have an incredible two-
hundred-year history, producing numerous servant leaders and engaging 
in missionary work that would spread beyond the 1st District. Members 
of this church have proven to be steadfast leaders across the globe. In 
1874, Mrs, Dorinda Duncan organized the first Children's

[[Page E708]]

Missionary Society in Kentucky, In 1887, Miss Nannie B. Gaines served 
as a missionary in Hiroshima, Japan, going on to become the first 
principal of the initial girls' school in Hiroshima. She laid the 
foundation for the modern 21st century educational institution of 
Hiroshima Jogakuin, which now encompasses kindergarten, junior high, 
high school and university students. John T. Tigert was named Bishop 
after obtaining his undergraduate degree at Vanderbilt University, 
where he was part of the university's inaugural graduating class. His 
brilliant leadership moved the church forward in numerous ways. His 
son, John J. Tigert, Jr., would continue his father's legacy of 
leadership by becoming a Rhodes Scholar, College Football Hall of Fame 
inductee and President of the University of Florida. To ensure the 
future growth of the church, Doug Wilson planted the idea of building a 
Christian Life Center that was completed in 1996. This building offered 
after-school programs for children and helped to instill the values of 
the church in the next generation. Franklin First has seen numerous 
congregates go on to be ordained as Methodist ministers or serve as 
local pastors. This track record of success demonstrates their desire 
to spread the lessons they learned at Franklin First beyond just their 
membership. The lessons they learned from Miss Nannie B. Gaines are 
still seen in the church through their international missionary work. 
The church routinely leads trips to Haiti and Honduras, and in 2020 
they sponsored 41 educational scholarships for children from the 
region. Franklin First also participates in numerous local missionary 
projects through Room in the Inn and Good Samaritan, while also 
organizing an annual Trunk or Treat event that provides a safe place 
for local community children. Throughout the past 200 years, this 
church has faithfully served Simpson County in numerous ways. I am 
proud to recognize Franklin First United Methodist Church for the 
incredible work they have done not only in their community and state, 
but throughout the entire world.

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