[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2696]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF FOSS AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 30, 2007

  Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to 
salute Foss Avenue Baptist Church as it celebrates the 50th anniversary 
of the Church's founding. The congregation will hold a banquet on March 
24th in my hometown of Flint, Michigan to mark the occasion.
  In late 1956 several ministers in Flint meet with the purpose of 
organizing a Baptist church on Foss Avenue. It was agreed to organize a 
church and the first applications for membership were made. The first 
members were Preston Johnson, Emma J. Simpson, Marvell Arkansas, and 
Reverend and Mrs. Avery Aldridge. A motion was made to name the church 
Foss Avenue Baptist Church and on December 2, 1956 the new church was 
born.
  The original church was dedicated on January 6, 1957. Under the 
direction of Pastor Avery Aldridge the second church building was 
entered on March 30, 1958 with the cornerstone being laid on March 22, 
1959. The church was rebuilt in 1964, and the west addition was 
dedicated on February 9, 1969. The cornerstone was re-laid on December 
10, 1978 when the north and south side additions were dedicated. As the 
congregation grew Pastor Aldridge organized many auxiliaries and 
services under the auspices of Foss Avenue Baptist Church and the 
congregation moved into the current sanctuary in 1989. In 2005 the 
original sanctuary was renovated and dedicated as the Mildred Light 
Aldridge Christian Education Center.
  Through the years the members of Foss Avenue Baptist Church have 
contributed to the church enterprises. Foss Avenue Baptist Church has 
an active Usher Board, a Music Department, a Foreign Mission Board, 
Church School Department, Mother's Board, Deaconess Board, a Trustee 
Board, Mission Department, and Kitchen Entourage. In addition the 
congregation operated Foss Avenue Christian School and the first Black 
Dairy Queen in the Flint area. Through the efforts of this 
congregation, thousands of persons have been helped, inspired and 
educated.
  Pastor Aldridge devoted his life to making Foss Avenue Baptist Church 
a reflection of God's glory and a beacon of light to the people of 
Flint. Under the current leadership of Pastor Roosevelt Austin, a 
lifelong friend of Pastor Aldridge, the congregation continues to 
respond overwhelmingly to God's call and to carry on His work.
  Madam Speaker, please join me in applauding Foss Avenue Baptist 
Church as it celebrates 50 years of worship, fellowship, and homage to 
Our Lord, Jesus Christ. The clergy and members are to be commended for 
their service to their community and world.

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