[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 36 (Thursday, February 25, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E169-E170]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PARK AVENUE MISSIONARY 
                             BAPTIST CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 25, 2021

  Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 100th 
anniversary of the Park Avenue Missionary Baptist Church. Since 1921, 
this church has served as a cornerstone of Kansas City's African 
American religious community. Under the dedicated and passionate 
leadership of its numerous pastors, the Park Avenue Missionary Baptist 
Church has stood strong and prospered. This church has served as a 
center of support during Kansas City's most trying times and as a 
center of celebration during its best times. No matter the challenges 
Kansas City faced, the Park Avenue Missionary Baptist Church has 
remained steadfast for all the faithful who made the church their 
spiritual home.
  Park Avenue Missionary Baptist Church was first established in 
February of 1921 by the late Rev. Thomas H. Ewing. Until the 
construction of the first house of worship, services were held in the 
homes of congregation members. Built at 19th Street & Highland Avenue, 
the original location helped spread the ``good news'' to Kansas City's 
Black population for thirty-four years. During this time, the church 
led parishioners through some of our nation's darkest periods. Through 
the hunger of the Great Depression, the grief of the Second World War, 
and the sorrows of the Korean War, the Park Avenue Missionary Baptist 
Church stood strong and guided churchgoers through the trials, 
tribulations, and troubles that tested the resolve of our country.
  In 1955, the congregation moved to a second location at 19th Street & 
Park Avenue. For the next sixteen years, Park Avenue Missionary Baptist 
Church filled the pews and saved the souls at 19th & Park. Within this 
new house of God, the church continued delivering the word of God, just 
as it had done for nearly thirty-five years. As Black Americans across 
the country were being beaten and jailed for demanding equal 
citizenship, this church weathered the storm and provided a stable 
place of worship for Kansas City's African American community. In spite 
of all that the community faced, the ministry grew rapidly in size, 
bringing on six new ministers to the fellowship while expanding its 
program offerings. This remarkable growth in the church body served as 
a testament to the spiritual gifts of the congregation's dedicated 
leaders while laying the foundation for the meteoric growth that was 
soon to come.
  Finally, in 1969, it became apparent that the congregation needed a 
new home. Thus, the church began construction on its third and final 
location at the intersection of Park and Jackson Avenue in the winter 
of 1970. For 51 years, Park Avenue Missionary Baptist Church has 
remained in this location, providing weekly services and invaluable 
spiritual guidance to the community which it serves. Since the first 
bricks of this final location were laid, the church has been led by 
Rev. Dr. Carl Johnson, Rev. Dr. Ervin, and Rev. Gregory Stevens, 
respectively.
  Following the burning of the mortgage in 1972, the Park Avenue 
Missionary Baptist

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Church has seen incredible growth in congregation size, programming, 
and community outreach capacity. With this growth, the church has 
launched more than 25 different ministries, improved the church grounds 
and building in countless ways, and paved the path for further 
expansion in the community it serves. In Ephesians 4:16, the Apostle 
Paul writes that, ``from whom the whole body, joined and held together 
by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working 
properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.'' 
The Park Avenue Missionary Baptist Church is a lesson in practice of 
what it means for a church to build itself up in love by leaning on its 
best parts. Through all the trials that its community has endured, time 
and again, the church has come out the other end stronger, and more 
unified.
  For an entire century, the Park Avenue Missionary Baptist Church has 
been a pillar of devotion in the Kansas City community. I am certain 
that this church will continue to lift up its community within 
Missouri's Fifth Congressional District for decades to come. Madam 
Speaker, please join me in celebrating and honoring Reverend Gregory 
Stevens and the congregants of the Park Avenue Missionary Baptist 
Church for reaching this profound and momentous point in their history. 
Please also join me in wishing them continued prosperity and peace for 
the next 100 years to come.

                          ____________________