[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 26004]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO CENTRAL BAPTIST CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 19, 1999

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the 100th 
Anniversary of the Central Baptist Church in Willisville, Illinois.
  As this millennium is nearing an end, I ask my colleagues to join me 
in honoring the history of small towns and cities which have committed 
themselves to their communities. Many churches and religious 
institutions have been the source of providing American citizens with 
comfort and strength during troubled times. In my congressional 
district, one church in particular has provided this type of example. 
For the past one-hundred years, community members of Willisville, 
Illinois and other neighboring communities have been gathering to 
worship and honor their religion in what is known as the first Free 
Baptist Church in Illinois.
  The history of the church is instructive. At the request of A.J. 
Rendleman of Campbell Hill, Illinois, the first formal meeting to 
establish the Free Baptist church was convened on Sunday, July 30th 
1899 at precisely 3:30 p.m. Soon after on October 24th, the first Free 
Baptist Church was formed. Today, this church is a reminder of the 
dedication and the desire to reach a higher goal. One hundred years 
after the first official sermon, we find ourselves honoring an 
institution that has withstood diversity as well as achieved a great 
sense of unity within the community.
  While the Central Baptist Church has not witnessed significant change 
in the past 100 years, the building itself was rebuilt in 1917 due to a 
tornado that destroyed the old structure. The bell that used to hang 
from the church, now sits in front of the building. The name was 
changed from the Freewill Baptist Church to Central Baptist Church, but 
its ideals have remained the same. Members gather for Bible studies 
mid-week, an annual Baptist camp in conjunction with the Southern 
Illinois University, and many other youth camp activities. On Saturday, 
October 20th, 1999, church officials and other members of the community 
plan to bury a time capsule in tribute to the history of the church, as 
well as to promote future years of prominence.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to honor the Central Baptist Church and 
wish it continued success as it enters another century and continues to 
provide the citizens of Willisville with spiritual growth, unit and 
guidance.

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