[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 106 (Tuesday, June 25, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E657]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE 127TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GREATER WARD CHAPEL AME CHURCH

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                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 25, 2024

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor The Greater 
Ward Chapel African American Episcopal Church as they celebrate their 
127th church anniversary. An event to celebrate this singular occasion 
was held on Sunday, June 23, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. at the church in 
Columbus, Georgia.
  Ward Chapel rose from humble beginnings in 1897 under a bush at the 
corner of Thirteenth Avenue and 24th Street in Columbus, Georgia. The 
first pastor of the church was Reverend R.W. Miller. After that, 
Reverend Swindom assumed the mantle of leadership and pastored for one 
year. Rev. W.J. Ferguson became the next pastor and moved the church to 
26th Street, helping to rebuild it. In 1913, the church was 
reconstructed a second time.
  In 1937, The Reverend R.D. Griffin was appointed as the next pastor. 
In 1939, the church was forced to move from the 26th Street location by 
the Government Housing Authority. The church was moved to Pou Street 
and was rebuilt in 1940 for the third time. The dedication of this 
building in honor of God was held on April 16, 1944, by the Presiding 
Elder of the Savannah District at the time, the Reverend R.L. Butler. 
This location included the first parsonage built in the history of the 
church.
  Reverend C.K. Knight took the helm of the church in 1949. Blessed by 
a spirit of benevolence, he made it possible for any child that desired 
to matriculate at Morris Brown College to improve their quality of 
life. Because of the passing of the Reverend M.C. Davis, Reverend 
Knight became the Presiding Elder of the Columbus District in January 
1955. Reverend Knight never forgot about this love for Ward Chapel and 
helped to select its next visionary leader, the Reverend S.F. Jackson.
  Reverend Jackson was driven by his desire to serve the Lord and to 
make Ward Chapel the best church in the East Columbus District. Many 
contributions happened under his leadership to include the renovation 
of the parsonage and church; the organ was paid off and new pews were 
purchased. Furthermore, an additional choir was formed--the Cathedral 
Choir which was later renamed the S.F. Jackson Choir. Rev. Jackson was 
reassigned to Americus, Georgia in 1961.
  The Reverend M.L. Hood was appointed as the next pastor and served at 
the church briefly. He was followed by the Reverend M.B. Mclendon. The 
greatest accomplishment of Rev. Mclendon, besides bringing souls to 
Christ, was the building of a new church edifice. A groundbreaking 
ceremony was held on November 16, 1967, to celebrate this great 
milestone in the life of the church.
  Another parsonage of the church was purchased in 1984 at the cost of 
$60,000. The Reverend R.B. Bass was appointed pastor in 1984 and his 
family was its first occupants. Rev. Bass served the church faithfully 
from April 1984 to May 1997. Among his many accomplishments included 
the mortgage burnings of both the church and the parsonage, the 
installation of new carpet, and the cushioning of the pews.
  Reverend Otis C. Duncan was the next caretaker of this remarkable 
church. He served faithfully until his retirement in February of 2014. 
Rev Duncan's accomplishments were indeed special. During his 
transformational ministry, Rev. Duncan transitioned the church to a new 
ministry by changing the name of the church to The Greater Ward Chapel 
AME Church in anticipation of the church accomplishing even greater 
things for the Kingdom of God.
  On May 10, 2012, the church selected a new and dynamic leader to 
shepherd the Greater Ward Chapel flock in the form of the Reverend 
Conitras M. Houston Dickens, or as she affectionately became known as 
``Pastor C.'' She was the youngest ever pastor to serve at the church 
and was its first female pastor. During her tenure, the Greater Ward 
Chapel Development Center was established to provide after school care 
was well as Summer Camp to community children, the Boy Scout Troop 11-
1, the Calvin Smyre Pastoral Scholarship, the Voices of Wonder Young 
Adult Choir, and many other ministries were founded under her 
incredible leadership.
  In October of 2016, Bishop Reginald Jackson appointed the Reverend 
Terrance Evan's as the new pastor. Pastor Evans has truly built upon 
the great leaders of the Greater Ward Chapel's past while putting his 
own visionary niche on the church's bright future. Accomplishments that 
were made under his stellar leadership include a new front awning, the 
paying off of the church van and debts, and replacement of the church's 
roof.
  Over the years, people from all walks of life have made a difference 
in the church and worked well together for the betterment of the 
Kingdom. The current members of Greater Ward Chapel continue to build 
on the legacy of labor and love that have set the standard for the 
church's success. The Greater Ward Chapel's parishioners have 
worshipped the Lord in spirit and in truth and have governed themselves 
as humble, spirit filled believers who are keen to do all they can as 
servants of God.
  Mr. Speaker, today I ask my colleagues to join my wife Vivian and me, 
along with the more than 765,000 people of Georgia's Second 
Congressional District in extending our sincerest congratulations to 
The Greater Ward Chapel AME Church and its current pastor, Reverend 
Curtis Frazier, as they celebrate 127 glorious years of serving God and 
his people. May Reverend Frazier and church members continue to press 
forward to the high mark of service and humility set forth by Jesus 
Christ.

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