[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 47 (Friday, March 15, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E254]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF PINE RIDGE BAPTIST CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BRIAN BABIN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 15, 2024

  Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Pine Ridge Baptist 
Church in Kountze, Texas, on its 150th year of ministry to the families 
and residents of Hardin County.
  Pine Ridge Baptist Church was chartered in 1874 by Rev. D.M. Jordan 
and his wife, Becky; W.J. Jordan; George B. Jordan and his wife, 
Sultana; Jessie Jordan and his wife, Missouri; Jordan Daniels; Rev. 
J.W. Teel and his wife, Milley; Mandy Jordan Shaw Cotton; Mary Jane 
Jordan Teel; Aletha Laird Herrington; and Thomas Laird.
  Land for the new church was donated by Rev. D.M. Jordan and 
constructed out of rough pine lumber. In its early years, homemade 
benches lined the walls for seating, handmade quilts were placed on the 
floor so children could relax or sleep during longer sermons, and 
church baptisms were held in Little Pine Island Bayou. Following Rev. 
Jordan's death in 1906, his son-in-law, Rev. J.W. Teel, took on the 
role, and Pine Ridge has been led by many devoted pastors since. The 
church congregation has also grown exponentially over the past 150 
years, with membership currently at 240 believers.
  Pine Ridge owes much of its preserved history to a man named Nathan 
G. Jordan, who joined the church in the late 1890s. While serving as 
the church's second clerk, Nathan's meticulous recordkeeping is 
responsible for the many documents, obituaries, meeting minutes, and 
biographical information of the area's early settlers and church 
members still available today.
  Over the past 150 years, the church and its congregation have been 
unwavering in their commitment to sharing the good news of salvation 
with all who seek to know God. With its long history of service and 
leadership to the community, Pine Ridge Baptist Church continues to 
uphold the ideals and traditions of its founders.
  I offer my most sincere congratulations on this significant milestone 
and wish them continued prosperity as they keep to their mission of 
serving the community as the hands and feet of Jesus Christ.

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