[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 5] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 7018] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]GALBRAITH A.M.E. ZION CHURCH CELEBRATES ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-SIX YEARS, 1843-1999 ______ HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON of the district of columbia in the house of representatives Tuesday, April 20, 1999 Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the officers, members, and friends of the Galbraith African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church for ``156 Years of Charting Our Legacy Through Spirituality With an Unchangeable God.'' Mr. Speaker, Galbraith A.M.E. Zion Church was organized before slavery was abolished and while the city of Washington was still in its infancy. The church grew out of the efforts of the late Bishop Singleton T. Jones, then pastor of the Zion Wesley A.M.E. Zion Church in Southwest Washington. He extended the borders of Zion by establishing a mission in the northwest section of the city. In 1843, with a meeting in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Payne on New Avenue, Northwest, between Fourth and Fifth Streets, the mission was established. Rev. Singleton T. Jones preached the sermon. Professor R.H. Dyson, Chorister of the then noted Clintonian Songsters, furnished the music. Six members joined the mission--Father and Mrs. Bartlett, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Payne, and two other individuals whose names have been lost in history. Rev. Richard Tompkins, a local preacher from Zion Wesley Church, was appointed to take charge and served for approximately ten months. The Mission struggled and fluctuated for a period of eight years until its reorganization in 1852, under the leadership of Rev. R.H.G. Dyson. The success of the Mission at this time was due primarily to the efforts and determination of Father and Mrs. Bartlett, Mr. and Mrs. Payne, and Mr. Julius Warren, the Assistant Class Leader to Rev. Dyson. The first building, a room 8 feet by 20 feet, was erected by Mr. Payne and was used for Sunday School and preaching services on Sunday, and for day school taught by Miss Martha Ross. As there were few facilities for the education of Black children in those days, the church served a double purpose. After only two months, the church became too small for the congregation. Mr. Payne stretched a number of tents in the rear of the building, providing accommodations for three hundred people. In 1853, because of the danger and lack of protection from a band of lawless white men, who amused themselves by stoning the tents during services, Mr. Payne erected another home for the mission with two stories. Upon the recommendation of Presiding Elder J.H. Hammer, Rev. Dyson joined the Annual Conference May, 1853, and was again sent to the Mission. In the fall of 1852, a lot was purchased on L Street between Fourth and Fifth Streets, Northwest for $225.00. The owner, Dr. Hall, donated $25.00 for the purchase price, and Brothers Julius Warren and Payne each paid $25.00 for a deed of trust. Mr. Naylor, a builder and contractor, agreed to build a church for a reasonable sum to be paid in small amounts. The cornerstone was laid in 1853, the first to be laid by the Colored Masons of Washington. Rev. Dyson selected the name ``Galbraith A.M.E. Zion Chapel'' in memory of Bishop George Galbraith. The dedication was March 1854. Mr. Speaker, this city is grateful for the spiritual guidance and the progressive leadership of the current pastor, Rev. Frederick B. Massey, Sr., and those who preceded him, coupled with the cooperation of the officers and members of Galbraith A.M.E. Zion Church. ____________________