[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 26396]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



 IN RECOGNITION OF THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF BLOOMING GROVE MISSIONARY 
                             BAPTIST CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DAVID D. PHELPS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 6, 2000

  Mr. PHELPS. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize one of the churches in my 
district. This year Blooming Grove Missionary Baptist Church of 
McLeansboro, IL celebrates its 150th anniversary. I thought it 
appropriate to acknowledge the church's rich and colorful past along 
with the congregation's contribution to society.
  After a long petitioning process, Blooming Grove was accepted for 
membership at the tenth annual meeting of the Franklin United Baptist 
Association in Johnson City, IL. Today, 150 years later, the church is 
still going strong. Led by Pastor Bro. Gary Davenport for the past 14 
years, Blooming Grove has a regular attendance of 75 dedicated 
citizens. Throughout the years the church has contributed to local and 
national charities. In fact, as early as 1907 church records state that 
Blooming Grove gave $7.33 to China to help in their suffering. The 
congregation may have changed in size for the past 150 years, but 
through it all there has always been a strong church body willing to do 
all they can to keep the congregation together.
  It is with this, Mr. Speaker, that I commend the Blooming Grove 
Missionary Baptist Church. Due to the perseverance and dedication of 
the congregation, it is clear that the church is an asset to the 
community.

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