[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22477]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF MOUNT OLIVE MISSIONARY BAPTIST 
                                 CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 5, 2006

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today and ask the House of 
Representatives to join me in honoring Mount Olive Missionary Baptist 
Church as they celebrate 100 years of worship. The church is holding a 
banquet on December 9 to kickoff a yearlong celebration of the 
centennial anniversary.
  In 1902 several members of Flint, Michigan's African-American 
community gathered with the Reverend William Lyons at the home of Mrs. 
Sarah Howard and held worship services. They aspired to organize an 
official church and in 1907 their dream was realized. A church home was 
established on Ward Street, now Twelfth Street, and Mount Olive 
Missionary Baptist Church was born.
  Over the years the church moved twice until it found a permanent home 
at 424 Kennelworth Street in 1950. Under the guidance of Reverend 
Robert T. Turpin the church grew. Reverend Turpin led the congregation 
for 33 years and made many improvements to the property including the 
construction of Turpin Fellowship Hall.
  Reverend Roy I. Greer became the pastor in 1972. Reverend Greer has 
directed the sanctuary renovations, installed a new baptistery, 
refurbished the offices and classrooms. In 1999 the Family Life Center 
was constructed. The basketball court, kitchen, and classrooms are the 
cornerstone of the community outreach spearheaded by Reverend Greer. 
The recreation center has provided a place for young people to gather 
in a safe, loving environment.
  As the first African-American Baptist Church in the Flint area, Mount 
Olive Missionary Baptist Church has fostered many persons that went on 
to become ordained ministers of the Word of God. It has stood as a 
beacon of light for every social justice movement over the past 100 
years and continues to provide solace and help for the most vulnerable 
in our community.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Mount Olive Missionary 
Baptist Church as they celebrate 100 years of consecrated service to 
Our Lord, Jesus Christ. May they continue to act in the Name of the 
Lord for another 100 years.

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