[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16101]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 IN HONOR OF THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF PINE CITY'S 100TH ANNIVERSARY

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                           HON. MARION BERRY

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 26, 2006

  Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise here today to recognize the First 
Baptist Church of Pine City which will celebrate its 100th anniversary 
this August. This is a significant milestone for a church community 
dedicated to fellowship and service.
  The First Baptist Church of Pine City was founded in 1906 under the 
guidance of Rev. John Smith. The congregation spent the first decade 
worshiping in temporary locations throughout Pine City, including a 
brush harbor on Rev. Smith's farm, the Beaten School, and even an old 
house. The church community finally bought land for a church on 
November 4, 1916 from Parker C. and Georgia Ewans for just $10.00. Once 
the sale was finalized, the congregation came together to build a 
church, pitching in to cut down trees and haul lumber from the saw 
mill.
  When the congregation outgrew this facility in 1954, the community 
came together once again to build the current First Baptist Church of 
Pine City. Members raised money for the new building by selling dinner 
plates on Sundays after the church service, donating daily salaries 
earned by picking cotton in the fields, and even raffling off a bale of 
cotton. The congregation has made many improvements to the church over 
the years and looks forward to continuing these improvements in the 
future.
  A total of 21 preachers have served the First Baptist Church of Pine 
City over the last 100 years including the current pastor, Rev. I.E. 
Holland, Sr., who has led the community in worship for 22 years. On 
August 13, 2006, the First Baptist Church of Pine City will gather to 
celebrate the 100th anniversary of their church community.
  I ask my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to join me 
in recognizing the congregation on this important day and sending our 
best wishes for many more years of worship and service to the Lord.

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