[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 4442]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   CELEBRATING THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH IN 
                         STRATFORD, CONNECTICUT

 Mr. DODD. Madam President, today I congratulate the First 
Baptist Church of Stratford, CT, on its 125th anniversary as a 
Christian congregation. Reaching this commendable benchmark is 
testimony to the deep level of faith and social commitment shared by 
this community throughout its long history.
  From its humble origins in 1877 as a small Sunday School for 
Stratford's growing African American population, the First Baptist 
Church has evolved into a vibrant spiritual congregation dedicated to 
Christian Fellowship and engaged in active social ministry. Since the 
middle of the 20th century, the congregants of First Baptist have 
willingly contributed to the advancement and well-being of their 
surrounding community by building and running a parsonage, establishing 
a Food Pantry ministry, and creating the First Baptist Church Federal 
Credit Union. First Baptist has also addressed the need of adequate and 
affordable housing through the First Baptist Church Development 
Corporation. Just recently, the Corporation completed construction and 
sale of its first affordable housing unit.
  I am impressed by First Baptist's commitment to Christian 
discipleship. Under the leadership of Reverend William B. Sutton, III, 
and former Pastor, Doctor William O. Johnson, it has provided growth 
and development to both congregants and the surrounding community. In 
these difficult times, I believe the services rendered by First Baptist 
serve as a positive example to all religious congregations.
  Once again, I congratulate the First Baptist Church of Stratford on 
its 125th anniversary. I hope that the congregation will keep up its 
important work and continue to make lasting contributions to the 
community of Stratford for many generations to come.

                          ____________________