[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 5572-5573]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     IN RECOGNITION OF ZION HILL MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH'S 134TH 
                              ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 23, 2015

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor and pleasure to 
extend my sincere congratulations to the congregation of Zion Hill 
Missionary Baptist Church in Cusseta, Georgia as the church's 
membership and leadership celebrate a remarkable 134 years. The 
congregation of Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church, in conjunction 
with Green Hill Missionary Baptist Church, will celebrate this very 
significant anniversary with a celebration on Sunday, April 26, 2015 at 
2:30 p.m. at the Church in Cusseta, Georgia.
  Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church's remarkable journey and growth 
as a church began in 1882 on the intersecting county lines of Marion 
and Chattahoochee Counties in Southwest Georgia. Reverend Shed Thornton 
is the first known pastor to lead Zion Hill. Other pastors to follow 
would include Reverend Jackson, Reverend Mathis, Reverend Davis, 
Reverend Chinn, Reverend Gates, and Reverend Campbell. Reverend Carter 
then pastored the church for thirty-six years, followed by Reverend 
Baker, who pastored for over sixteen years.
  Reverend Willie E. Neal then became the Pastor of Zion Hill 
Missionary Baptist Church and in his twenty-two years of leadership, he 
worked tirelessly to expand the church. Under his careful eye, the 
current Fellowship Hall was built, and new pulpit furnishings, new 
pews, and the indoor baptismal pool were installed.
  In 1987, the church was incorporated and attendance continued to 
grow. The church added classes for children and young adults to its 
Sunday school program. After the church established a youth choir 
ministry and youth usher ministry, it became a full-time Gospel church, 
holding services every Sunday.
  After the Reverend Frederick D. Harris took over the leadership, the 
church began making some structural improvements. New carpet was 
installed in the sanctuary, the pews were covered, the fellowship hall 
was outfitted with new tile, and new tables, chairs, and kitchen 
appliances were added. A new sound system was installed and finally, a 
steeple was added to the top of the sanctuary, inviting members of the 
community to come praise and worship the Lord at Zion Hill.
  It was during this time that Rev. Harris also implemented a new 
Wednesday class to increase spiritual growth. After Rev. Harris was 
called to relocate to Maryland, the Reverend Clarence R. Barnes then 
took over the leadership of Zion Hill. Sadly, due to medical reasons, 
Rev. Barnes had to resign in November 2014.
  Along with pastors, there have also been many deacons who influenced 
and guided the

[[Page 5573]]

church. Some of the most notable include Deacon James Williams, who 
contributed the church flags, and Deacon Willie J. Short, who built the 
current Sanctuary.
  Throughout the past 134 years, Zion Hill Missionary Baptist has 
become a spiritual home for many. Advancements in both the actual 
structure of the church building as well as the church body were made 
to better accommodate the divine growth emanating from the hearts and 
spirits of many pastors, deacons, and church members. The story of Zion 
Hill Missionary Baptist Church is truly an inspiring one of the 
dedication and perseverance of a faithful congregation of people who 
put all their love and trust in the Lord.
  Mr. Speaker, today I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute 
to Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Cusseta, Georgia for their 
long history of coming together through the good and difficult times to 
praise and worship our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

                          ____________________