[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 21]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 29412]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF BRIGHT TEMPLE CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART GORDON

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 16, 2005

  Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 75th year of 
existence of the Bright Temple Church of God in Christ in Shelbyville, 
Tennessee. This fine church in Bedford County has experienced many 
changes since it first opened its doors in 1930, but the congregation's 
spirit of compassion and fellowship remains the same.
  In the midst of the Great bepression, Clarence Garfield Bright 
founded The Church of God in Christ. Eventually, the name was changed 
in his honor to Bright Temple Church of God in Christ. In the 1950s, 
the church became home to revivals that attracted evangelists from 
across the nation. And in 1964, the church began to hold a prayer 
service at noon Monday through Friday, a tradition that continues 
today.
  The church has grown as Bedford County has grown in recent years. 
Under the leadership of the church's current pastor, Larry James 
Crismon, Sr., Bright Temple has expanded its facilities and opened a 
community social service facility.
  Shelbyville is a better place because of the work of the Bright 
Temple Church of God in Christ and its congregation. I congratulate 
Pastor Crismon and the congregation for all the good work they have 
done, and I wish them all the best in the next 75 years.

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