[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 13587-13588]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING GREATER DAMASCUS CHURCH OF CHRIST (HOLINESS) U.S.A.

                                  _____
                                 

                        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, Greater Damascus Church of Christ (Holiness) 
U.S.A.
  One of the most prominent churches in the Church of Christ (Holiness) 
U.S.A. Movement is Greater Damascus Church of Christ (Holiness) U.S.A., 
on 1013 Damascus Circle, Hazlehurst, Mississippi. Since its beginning, 
the Church has been instrumental in the community's development.
  As far as records indicate, Damascus Church began during slavery, and 
grew out of the white Damascus Baptist Church. In 1865, when the slaves 
were set free, a division arose in the church due to a disposition of 
Negro membership freed of bondage after the Civil War. Because of this, 
the Negro congregation was given ten acres of land to continue their 
worship service. In 1867, the already established colored Damascus 
Baptist Church began having services in a brush arbor under the 
leadership of Rev. Tom Askerneese as pastor. He served from 1867 until 
his death in 1872, a total of five years.
  In 1872, Elder W. S. Pleasant was elected pastor. He pastored the 
Damascus Baptist Church from 1872 to 1896, which was twenty-four years. 
In 1896, Elder Pleasant and the Church joined with Bishop Charles Price 
Jones, founder of the Church of Christ (Holiness) U.S.A., and Damascus 
Church became one of the first churches to join the ``Holiness 
Movement.'' The Church became known as Damascus Church of Christ 
(Holiness) U.S.A. The Church was able to move out of the brush arbor 
into their erected church building under Elder Pleasant's leadership. 
He served as pastor of the new denominational church from 1896 to 1918, 
twenty-two years. Elder Pleasant's total service to Damascus Church was 
forty-six years. He resigned as pastor to do evangelistic work. He died 
February 7, 1935.
  In 1919, the Church accepted Elder L. J. Brunson as the second pastor 
of the new denominational church. He pastored from 1919 to 1932, a 
total of twelve years, before resigning to go to Norfolk, Virginia. He 
died in 1941.
  On January 27, 1931, the Rev. George A. Thomas, a man of many 
talents, came as pastor of Damascus Church. In 1966, Rev. Thomas built 
the second church since the brush arbor. The dedication of the church 
was held on September 15, 1966. In June 1971, the adjoining building to 
the church was built to serve as classrooms and as a dining hall. Rev. 
Thomas served as pastor of Damascus Church longer than either of the 
previous pastors. His tenure lasted January 27, 1931 until his death on 
January 13, 1980, a term of forty-nine years.
  After the death of Rev. Thomas, the Church sought out a new pastor. 
In a call meeting, May 1980, the congregation voted to accept Elder 
Arnold Stanton, Sr., who came as pastor in September, 1980. The third 
church was

[[Page 13588]]

built and dedicated to God in August 1986. The contractor was Damascus' 
own, Deacon George A. Harris, Sr. The new sanctuary led to the name 
changing from Damascus Church of Christ (Holiness) U.S.A. to Greater 
Damascus Church of Christ (Holiness) U.S.A. On December 25, 1994, Elder 
Stanton resigned as pastor of Greater Damascus Church. His tenure 
lasted fourteen years.
  January 1, 1995, Greater Damascus Church was without a pastor. Elder 
Clifton Goodloe, Jr., accompanied by his lovely wife, Sister Delores 
Goodloe, came and conducted the morning service. Elder Goodloe's text 
was taken from Acts 24:10-16, and the thought was, ``Let Your 
Conscience Be Your Guide.'' On Monday, January 2, 1995, the Church's 
first business meeting of the new year was conducted by Bishop Maurice 
D. Bingham, Presiding Prelate of the South Central Diocese of the 
Church of Christ (Holiness) U.S.A. Bishop Bingham was accompanied by 
Elder Eddie Jones, Jr., pastor of the Crystal Springs Church of Christ 
(Holiness) U.S.A. In this business meeting, the congregation of Greater 
Damascus Church voted to accept Elder Clifton Goodloe, Jr. as pastor.
  On January 8, 1995, Elder Clifton Goodloe, Jr. became pastor of 
Greater Damascus Church of Christ (Holiness) U.S.A. Elder Goodloe's 
main goal and objective is to ``Preach God's Word in His Fullness'' so 
when men, women, boys and girls hear the ``Word'' they may be convicted 
and become saved. Elder Goodloe is in his nineteenth year as pastor of 
Greater Damascus Church.
  ``Damascus Church'' has produced five ``Sons of the House.'' They are 
the late Elder C. D. Tate, Sr., Rev. Ellis Blackwell, Jr., Elder Henry 
Smiley, Elder Andre' Tyler and Elder Nicholas Tanner.
  Greater Damascus Church has had a grand processional of Christian 
soldiers who labored for many, many years and laid a solid foundation 
for generations to follow. Those who are gone have left a rich heritage 
that should not be merely praised and testified to, it must be built 
upon.
  Greater Damascus Church of Christ (Holiness) U.S.A. has been in 
existence one hundred and forty-nine years, in the ``Holiness 
Movement'' one hundred and seventeen years, and six pastors during this 
time. What a legacy!
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 
Greater Damascus Church of Christ (Holiness) U.S.A. as they strive to 
be the guide for others to find the joy of serving God through His Son, 
Jesus Christ.

                          ____________________