[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5834]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



 IN CELEBRATION OF THE 110TH ANNIVERSARY OF BETH EDEN BAPTIST CHURCH, 
                              OAKLAND, CA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 13, 2000

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, today, I celebrate the 110th anniversary of the 
establishment of the Beth Eden Baptist Church in Oakland, California. 
This milestone will be commemorated from April 9 through May 21, 2000.
  The theme of this celebration is taken from Ephesians 6:10-18 which 
reads: ``By example-maintaining our armor of God and hold fast to the 
principles of righteousness, perseverance, faithfulness, salvation and 
spirit, which are in the word of God.''
  Beth Eden is the oldest Black Baptist Church in Alameda County. 
Founded on April 20, 1890, its first pastor was Rev. George Gray. Since 
1890, the church has flourished following its theme ``A Legacy of 
Faith.''
  Since its founding with Rev. Gray, Beth Eden has had eleven 
additional pastors, including Rev. Robert Alexander McQuinn, Rev. James 
Allen (who later founded Oakland's Allen Temple Baptist Church), Rev. 
John Dwelle, Rev. John Coylar (the Church's only Caucasian minister), 
Rev. John Allen, Rev. James Dennis (who later founded the North Oakland 
Baptist Church), Rev. Francis Walker, Rev. Samuel Hawkins, Rev. Paul 
Hubbard, Rev. Alvin Dones and Rev. Dr. Gillette James, the current 
pastor.
  For more than a century, Beth Eden has been a West Oakland landmark 
of faith, activity and commitment to building a stronger community. 
These activities include building senior housing, holding interfaith 
Thanksgiving services with local churches, establishing a Missionary 
Society, creating SHARE, a discount food program, and helping to create 
the Black Adoption Placement and Research Center.
  Beth Eden Baptist Church is truly a source of civic pride and a 
valuable resource for the community. I proudly join the church's 
members, friends and neighbors in saluting and honoring the history and 
spirit of this great church.

                          ____________________