[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 187 (Monday, November 13, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1085]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





  CELEBRATING THE 180TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BROWN CHAPEL AME CHURCH IN 
                          YPSILANTI, MICHIGAN

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                          HON. DEBBIE DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 13, 2023

  Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the Brown 
Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church of Ypsilanti, Michigan on the 
180th anniversary of their founding. The services they have provided to 
the Ypsilanti community and all those seeking a better life are worthy 
of commendation.
  The Brown Chapel AME Church was founded in 1843 with a goal of 
worshipping God without any form of discrimination. They wanted to be a 
home for those searching for peace, solitude, and freedom at a time 
when oppression and religious abuse was extremely prominent in society. 
This church played a key role in the Underground Railroad, as it was 
one of the last stops for escaped slaves on their way to freedom in 
Canada.
  The Brown Chapel is the second oldest active AME Church in the state 
of Michigan. The congregation has continued to serve their surrounding 
community while maintaining the ideology of a global church with a 
local touch. The Brown Chapel hosts a Brotherhood Banquet that has 
focused on brotherhood and racial unity for the past 70 years. The 
church also has a 30-year-old weekly Good Samaritan Feeding Program 
that works to provide fresh food, produce, and canned goods for anyone 
in need in the community. They partner up with educational institutions 
and nonprofits like Food Gatherers, Growing Hope, Crop Walk, the 
University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University, and more, to help 
provide care and community for those in need. The chapel also has 
worked with the Michigan Conference of the AME Church to further impact 
not only the city of Ypsilanti, but those throughout our state.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in celebrating the 
180th anniversary of the Brown Chapel African Methodist Episcopal 
Church of Ypsilanti, Michigan. At a time of such discord throughout the 
country and around the world, the unifying work of Brown Chapel AME 
Church is more important than ever. We are proud to have such leaders 
as our neighbors and are excited to see all the good work they can 
accomplish over the next 180 years.

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