[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 162 (Monday, September 20, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E989-E990]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CELEBRATING THE 150TH CHURCH ANNIVERSARY OF ZION TRAVELER CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON-

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 20, 2021

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
legacy and service of a remarkable church, Greater Zion Travelers M.B. 
Church.
  Zion Traveler Church was organized on the 31st of July 1871 by 
Reverend Albert Young. Zion Travelers started out with just 30 members 
and since its founding has only had 13 Pastors: Rev. E.D. Jones, Rev. 
S.S. Butler, Rev. A.R. Tillman, Rev. J. West, Rev. Hue White, Rev. 
Henderson, Rev. Albert (Abe) Richie, Rev. C.J. Stevenson, Rev. U.E. 
Jones, Rev. C.H. Lowe, Rev. Willie Lewis, and Rev. Casey Fisher.
  Rev. Lewis was elected as pastor in February 1967. One year into his 
stewardship, the congregation built a brick building with central heat, 
central air, two restrooms, running water, and a baptismal pool. This 
new building symbolized new beginnings for the church and thus led to 
its renaming: Greater Zion Travelers M.B. Church. Officers who served 
under him were Bro. Eugene Snow, Bro. Ivory Smith, Brother Hubert 
Smith, Bro. Sylvester Fields, Bro. Eddie Cooper, Bro. Louis McGriggs, 
and Bro. Talmadge Ross. Later, he added, Bro. Excell Snow, Bro. Robert 
Marbra, Bro. Upson, Bro. Claude Smith, Bro. James Simon, and Bro. 
Demell McGriggs. Trustees: Sis. Willie M. Callahan and Bro. C.P. Lyons.
  The members were so dedicated that they paid the mortgage off in only 
10 years. They continued to build upon that success by purchasing an 
organ, new pews with cushion seats, piano, bulletin board, desk, and 
chairs. Greater Zion was the only church at this time that had an 
asphalt parking lot. Rev. Lewis became Pastor Emeritus in May 2013. He 
died October 10, 2013, as the longest serving pastor of Greater Zion 
with 46 years.
  Rev. Fisher, the son of Sharkey and the Late Katie Fisher, was 
elected pastor of Greater Zion May 2013. Rev. Fisher was reared in this 
church and brought excitement with his selection. He has continued the 
legacy of Greater Zion through area beautification, (installing the 
embossed name on the church, added three crosses at the entrance of the 
church), building renovations (removed carpet and replaced with treated 
concrete flooring, replaced carpet in the choir loft, purchased new 
furniture for the quiet room, Pastor's office, business office, and 
fellowship hall) and modernization. In honor of Reverend Lewis, Pastor 
Fisher dedicated the rear church entrance as the Willie Lewis Lane. He 
instituted the Church's first and only motto: ``The Church on the 
Corner where Christ is the Center''.
  During the COVID-19 pandemic, Greater Zion has been a leader in 
providing much needed food and cleaning supplies to the community. In 
May 2020, Greater Zion partnered with local, county, and state elected 
officials to conduct Operation Give Back-Utica. Over 300 families were 
blessed. During the historic ice storm of 2021, Rev. Fisher and his 
members coordinated with State Representative Stephanie Foster for 
water distribution for the community. Six pallets (504 cases) of water 
were distributed.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the legacy, 
and service of Greater Zion Travelers M.B. Church.

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