[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16493]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



         130TH ANNIVERSARY OF MT. JOY MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 16, 1999

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this time to make the 
House aware of the 130th anniversary of Mt. Joy Missionary Baptist 
Church in Edwardsville. The church serves as a pillar of the community. 
The church began in 1869 in the home of a church member who was also an 
ex-slave. In 1871 the church moved to a log cabin nearby. The church 
has always been a center for the community to come together to 
interact. There will also be the very first showing of the new history 
museum created by the church.
  When a long time church member was questioned about the church she 
replied, ``I used to like the old ice cream socials years ago. It was a 
way for folks to get together, and there was always a place for the 
kids to play.'' It is exciting to see a community get together to 
celebrate the anniversary of a historic institution in its community. 
Such events create a sense of pride and history throughout the 
community.

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