[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23954]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  RECOGNIZING BUCKNER CHRISTIAN CHURCH

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                            HON. SAM GRAVES

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 17, 2004

  Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize the Buckner 
Christian Church. On November 14, 2004, the Buckner Christian Church 
celebrated 120 years of service. In 1884, after much thought and 
prayer, twenty-six devout Christians in or near Buckner Hill, most 
members of Sibley Christian Church, elected a building committee of 
four. Together they founded the church. They organized themselves 
``into a congregation of worshiping Disciples, by renewing our covenant 
with our Heavenly Father, and pledging our mutual faith to each other, 
promising thereby to take the Word of God as our only rule of faith.''
  On November 8, 1884, the trustees purchased four lots for $100 in the 
town of Buckner Hill. Despite many weather disasters and set-backs, a 
simple, almost austere, building was erected and the congregation was 
able to attend church in their own sanctuary. In 1923, plans were made 
to build a new church. On March 24, 1924, the old building was moved to 
the lots at the back of the site where services continued while a new 
church was built. The cornerstone of the new building was laid on June 
15, 1924, and on Sunday, May 3, 1925, the new church was dedicated 
debt-free, with services in the morning, a basket dinner at noon, and 
an afternoon formal dedication service. The Independence Christian 
Church loaned an old pulpit to the church which is still in use today. 
This pulpit was once used by Alexander Campbell during one of his 
visits to Independence. In 1957, city water was installed and the 
baptistery remodeled. In 1963, the first telephone was installed. In 
1995, the stained glass windows were replaced and a new wooden window-
sash was made. In 1997, a new slate roof replaced the old one.
  Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in congratulating the 
Buckner Christian Church on 120 years of service. I honor the early 
members of the church as they tried to keep their Christian commitment 
in their community. Today, I honor the young people of the church and 
those who will lead it in the future. May the Buckner Christian Church 
grow and prosper in this new century.

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