[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 13583-13585]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING PRATT MEMORIAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 12, 2013

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
pillar of the community, Pratt Memorial United Methodist Church.
  Pratt Memorial United Methodist Church was founded as a Mission 
Charge and was organized under the ministry of Reverend Henry Henderson 
on July 9, 1897. It was housed in a small school building and was 
called the West Jackson Methodist Episcopal Church. The Reverend J. D. 
Brooks, who succeeded Reverend Henderson in 1898, built the first 
parsonage during his two years as a pastor.
  An effort to build the first church was made by Reverend E. P. 
Chatman. Although his plan was not completed, he did succeed in the 
construction to the extent that services could be held. Reverend 
Chatman served two years and was succeeded by Reverend I. L. Pratt. 
Unfortunately both the church and the parsonage burned. But by faith 
and sacrifice, the pastor and the faithful members built the first 
sanctuary, naming it in honor of Reverend Pratt. He served one year and 
was followed by Reverend Hiram Mae who was pastor for only six months.
  Following Reverend Mae, the Conference sent Reverend W. L. Marshall 
to shepherd the congregation. He succeeded in building the second 
parsonage but resigned after spending a year and a half at Pratt. 
Pratt's seventh pastor, Reverend W. A. Oates, came from Yazoo City, 
Mississippi and spent two and a half fruitful years paying off many of 
the church's debts while also ministering to the needs of his people. 
The Reverends Garrett Tate, Simpson Joshua, Henry Woods, M. T. J. 
Howard and N. Ross, all followed in succession as pastors of Pratt. 
Each served one year and each contributed much to the spiritual growth 
of the loyal and faithful membership.
  Reverend Prentiss Taylor, the fourteenth pastor, stimulated growth 
and hope. Reverend Taylor's successor, Reverend E. A. J. Isabel, helped 
make his dream a reality when he ushered in a new day for membership 
and under Reverend Isabel, Pratt was taken off the circuit and became a 
stationed charge. Later a beautiful brick veneer edifice was built and 
the name was changed from Pratt's Chapel to Pratt Memorial Methodist 
Episcopal Church.
  Reverend Isabel broke all previous records of service to the church 
with a tenure that spanned ten years. He was affectionately called the 
``great builder'' and was succeeded by Reverend A. B. Keeling. His 
business acumen as well as his abilities as a pastor helped him meet 
the demands of the church. Reverend Keeling took a great interest in 
the youth of the church, providing opportunities for their talents, to 
develop leadership qualities and to gain experience through attendance 
at youth meetings and conferences. Through his work developing young 
church members, Pratt took its place among the top churches in the 
conference, attracting area-wide attention in both ministerial and lay 
circles. Reverend J. C. Hibbler continued the work among the youth

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and both Reverend Hibbler and his successor, Reverend S. G. Roberts, 
served three years respectively. Each kept the faith and did much to 
improve the church grounds and physical structure.
  Reverend L. E. Johnson was sent to fill the vacancy created by the 
departure of Reverend Roberts. A powerful minister and good fundraiser, 
Reverend Johnson reduced the church debt during his four-year tenure. 
The youth activities were expanded, the membership grew rapidly and 
other areas of the church were improved. Reverend Johnson was elevated 
to District Superintendent of the Jackson District at the end of his 
tenure. Through the inspiration of Reverend W. H. Blackman, Reverend 
Johnson's successor, there was an increase in membership. The three-
year stay of Reverend Blackman was due to the call of the Conference 
for him to became the Executive Secretary of Christian Education of the 
Mississippi Conference. He was succeeded by Reverend C. P. Payne.
  Under Reverend Payne's guidance, the balance of the church's 
indebtedness was paid off and the mortgage was burned on October 1, 
1944. Dr. Clovis Chappell, pastor of Galloway Memorial Methodist Church 
of Jackson, delivered the dedication sermon. Pratt became the third-
ranked among the top churches in the Mississippi Conference attracting 
area-wide attention.
  Next was Reverend Frank P. Leonard. In spite of a bright outlook for 
the congregation and good leadership of its pastor, the physical 
structure collapsed in March, 1953, but the pastor and congregation 
rebuilt and the new church opening was held March 14, 1954. The 
beautiful edifice, which now stands, is a tribute to Reverend Leonard 
and his congregation. The $43,000 debt was reduced to $23,000 by the 
time the building was completed and Reverend Leonard became District 
Superintendent the following year.
  In 1956, Reverend M. T. J. Howard, Jr. was assigned to Pratt. The 
parsonage was rebuilt and completely furnished.
  Reverend G. W. Williams succeeded Reverend Howard in 1958.
  Reverend A. L. Holland succeeded Reverend Williams but died at the 
helm after only six months of service. Reverend C. P. Payne, the 
District Superintendent, assisted in completing the year's work. In 
1963 Reverend Allen Johnson was sent to Pratt. Like his father, 
Reverend L. E. Johnson, Reverend Johnson was a good fundraiser as well 
as an organizer. An inspirational choir, a youth choir and a children's 
choir were all organized. Funds were raised to pay off the church and 
parsonage indebtedness. Reverend Johnson also became distinguished as a 
fearless and courageous leader in the Civil Rights Movement of the 
sixties, which broke down racial barriers.
  When Reverend Sydney L. Webb appeared on the scene in 1967, the 
congregation concluded that Pratt must rise to the new challenge in the 
age of space. As a first step, they envisioned a much needed renovation 
and building program. With conference and local financial obligations 
completed for the conference year, the congregation decided to launch a 
66th Anniversary program to celebrate as well as to raise funds for the 
building program. The 66th Anniversary was held June 2, 1968. In June 
1969, Reverend Webb was appointed by the Conference to head the Jackson 
District.
  Reverend C. E. Appleberry advanced plans initiated by Reverend Webb, 
the first pastor to serve the church after it became known as Pratt 
Memorial United Methodist Church. This was due to the union of the 
Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church. Reverend 
Appleberry served two faithful years.
  Reverend C. P. Payne, who became the only pastor to serve Pratt 
Memorial on more than one occasion, succeeded Reverend Appleberry. 
After a two-year period, Reverend Coleman Turner succeeded Reverend 
Payne. Under Reverend Turner's supervision, the church took on a new 
life, the choir took on a new look, and the young people became more 
active in all phases of church life. The financial affairs of the 
church were ordered and funds were raised to begin the second phase of 
the building program. The repair of the church steeple was also made. 
The United Methodist Women were reorganized under Reverend Turner's 
administration and the women of the church began serving as officers, a 
choice not open to them before.
  Following Reverend Turner's retirement after 11 years of service, the 
1984 June Annual Conference appointed Reverend Noah Lee Moore to Pratt. 
As he took over the reins, Reverend Moore faced an uncertain church 
renovation and remodeling program, which had come to a halt. Being a 
dynamic young minister with deep spiritual convictions, he provided the 
leadership for the hour. In less than a year and a half, the church 
parsonage was renovated, upgraded and painted, followed by the 
remodeling and renovation of the entire church. During the same time 
span, the United Methodist Men's organization was revived and 
revitalized. The youth and children of the church became organized and 
their activities added much to the life of the church. But perhaps the 
most historical accomplishment during this period was the resolving of 
the divisible issue of two units of United Methodist Women in the 
church. One all-inclusive unit was formed and developed in keeping with 
the laws of the United Methodist Church. With the anticipated 
strengthening of all areas of the church so as to implement the 
ministry it espouses, the securing of a loan from the general church to 
take over the mortgage incurred for the building program was 
implemented under the leadership banner of Reverend Moore.
  Reverend Deborah Mingo Palmer, Pratt Memorial's first female pastor, 
succeeded Reverend Noah Moore in June 1993. Her ability to inspire and 
teach the word of God through illustrative sermons sparked increases in 
Sunday School and worship services' attendance. Her talent for planning 
and presenting special programs and services made the worship 
experience unique, colorful and as always--spiritually uplifting. The 
high energy and innovative ideas of the pastor motivated the membership 
to revitalize ministries that already had great potential, such as 
communication, children, youth and young adult ministries. Wonderful 
Wednesday, Sensational Saturday, The Singles, Orientation Sunday School 
Class were new ones for Pratt.
  Another first for Pratt Memorial United Methodist Church was the 
addition of three Associate Pastors to the personnel roster; Reverend 
Glenda Funchess, Reverend Carl Palmer, Jr. (the pastor's spouse) and 
Reverend Eliza Forbes. The Associate Ministers were involved in worship 
services and other junctions to give ministerial support for the 
pastor.
  In Reverend Palmer's fourth year span of leadership, the church 
parsonage was renovated to accommodate a three-room office and small 
group meeting space. The church steeple was repaired, two additional 
lots were purchased and the parking lot was paved and lined.
  Reverend John L. Cornelius was appointed the thirty-third pastor at 
the June 1997 and the church purchased the home next to the church 
parsonage. This was the beginning of the Pratt Memorial UMC Resource 
Center for computer training and after school tutorial. During Reverend 
Cornelius' term, the Administrative Council also approved the purchase 
of a computer and software to keep finances electronically.
  Rev. Selber M. McShepard was appointed the thirty-fourth pastor of 
Pratt on June 2005. With a strong spirit of ministry Pratt connected 
with eight other West Jackson Churches in The Cluster. The Cluster 
churches worked on outreach ministry in the district, as well as 
exchanging pastors one Sunday out of the year. Rev. McShepard 
encouraged the youth of the church to become active through attendance, 
in summer camps and connectional ministry meetings. She also worked 
with the Building and Redevelopment Committee of the church toward the 
planning of Pratt's first Family Life Center.
  Rev. Brenda McCaskill was appointed the thirty-fifth pastor of Pratt 
at the June 2010 Mississippi Conference. She immediately began to work 
toward improving leadership in the church by conducting monthly 
Leadership Training Classes. She focused on ministering to young adults 
in the church and community by helping to establish a Sunday School 
class and other social activities. Rev. McCaskill was instrumental in 
establishing a toll free Prayer Line Monday through Friday to pray for 
their concerns. Her Outreach Ministry included visiting local prisons 
and programs like the ``Gospel and Youth Explosion'' held in the 
community.
  In June of 2013, Rev. DeMario F. Benson, Sr. was appointed the 
thirty-six pastor of Pratt. He has also focused on improving leadership 
at Pratt and youth and young adult involvement within the church. He 
has also been instrumental in initiating a Youth Ministry, Singles 
Ministry, and Marriage Ministry while at Pratt. We trust that under his 
leadership, we can keep the faith and adhere to those same principles, 
which started Pratt on this journey one hundred sixteen years ago.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Pratt 
Memorial United Methodist Church as they strive to be the guide for 
others to find the joy of serving God through His Son, Jesus Christ.

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