[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17358]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE 50th ANNIVERSARY OF THE GREATER FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART GORDON

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 19, 2002

  Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 50th year of 
ministry of the Stones River Baptist Church of Smyrna, Tennessee. The 
congregation will celebrate the milestone on October 7, 2002.
  The need for a new Baptist Church to serve the military families 
stationed at the former Seward Air Force Base in Smyrna, Tennessee, was 
discussed in May 1952. The first worship service conducted by the 
Stones River Baptist Church was held on July 30, 1952. And the first 
worship conducted in the church's permanent building was held on 
October 26, 1952.
  The church has served its community and congregation well for half a 
century, a period during which our nation experienced much change and 
innovation. Through those many years, though, Stones River Baptist 
Church never faltered in its commitment to bring the Lord's word to the 
people.
  Smyrna is a much stronger community because of the work of the church 
and its congregation. I congratulate the congregation's perseverance 
and am sure the church will grow even stronger during its next 50 years 
of service.

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