[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14961]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MEMORIAL BAPTIST CHURCH 
                         OF WILLITS, CALIFORNIA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 16, 2003

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
Memorial Baptist Church of Willits as this congregation celebrates the 
50th anniversary of its founding.
  W.F. Harrison, a Baptist layman who worked in a Leggett sawmill, 
identified the need for a Baptist Church in Willits. Ralph Rummings, a 
seminary student studying for foreign missionary work, was persuaded to 
start the mission and work at the sawmill for $25 a week. So, a few 
logging families formed the hub of the church, which has since grown to 
a congregation of 150 people.
  Memorial Baptist Church became an official congregation on June 21, 
1953. The church's first minister was Pastor Russell R. Morris, a 
seminary student who later became a missionary to Lebanon, Jordan and 
Israel. The first church services were held at the Leake Recreation 
Hall. Land was purchased in 1954 and the church building was completed 
in 1956.
  Over the course of the past 50 years, the church has played an 
important spiritual role in Willits and has enriched the lives of many 
people. Although the congregation has endured philosophical differences 
over the years, it has remained united in its ministry, serving the 
needs of the congregation and the community.
  Memorial Baptist has provided humanitarian assistance to people 
through local, national and international programs and activities. 
Currently, the church is an active participant in the Brown Bag Lunch 
Program of Willits, the Willits Community Services & Food Bank and the 
Community Benevolence Fund. The Women's Mission/Ministries group 
supports overseas projects, assists women in becoming self-supporting 
and provides funds to teach English to new immigrants.
  Mr. Speaker, we honor this church for its many contributions to our 
community. For fifty years the church has been a shining example of 
patriotism and valor, a place where all are welcome. It is appropriate 
at this time that we recognize Memorial Baptist Church on the occasion 
of its 50th anniversary.

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