[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14073]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 COMMEMORATING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, WELDON, 
                             NORTH CAROLINA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. G. K. BUTTERFIELD

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 28, 2016

  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 150th 
anniversary of First Baptist Church, located in my congressional 
district in Weldon, North Carolina.
  First Baptist Church takes pride in being one of the first Black 
Baptist churches in North Carolina. Founded in 1866, a year after the 
U.S. Congress passed the 13th Amendment to abolish slavery, Reverend 
Joseph Baysmore and several faith leaders devoted to spreading the word 
of God organized the Church. In the Church's early days, Reverend 
Baysmore and his small congregation gathered to worship under a bush 
arbor, which was later replaced by a wooden structure lacking ceilings 
and heat.
  Mr. Speaker, much of First Baptist Church's growth over the years can 
be attributed to its dedicated leadership and congregation. In 1909, 
the Church moved into its current site under the leadership of Reverend 
John W. Faulk, Sr. During this time, the Church went from offering only 
second and fourth Sunday service to offering services every Sunday.
  Even early on, the Church was active in civic engagement and served 
as the first meeting site for the Halifax County Chapter of the 
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 
the early 1940s. In the 1990s, the Church added a radio ministry to 
broadcast the Sunday morning worship on the local radio station.
  Since 2002, First Baptist Church has been pastored by Reverend 
Quientrell L. Burrell, II. Under Rev. Burrell's leadership, the Church 
continues to prosper and serve its community. First Baptist Church has 
expanded its service to the community through health seminars, single 
parent clinics, and healthy relationship sessions. Today, First Baptist 
Church remains a pillar of the Weldon community and in the state of 
North Carolina.
  With the theme ``Rooted in Faith, Racing Toward the Future,'' this 
150th anniversary observes the labor and sacrifices made over 150 years 
as well as the Church's promise for the future. Through its outstanding 
leadership and a devoted congregation, I am confident that First 
Baptist will continue to withstand the test of time for generations to 
come.
  By the grace of God, First Baptist Church has survived the test of 
time with its strong faith and belief and it is still going strong 
today. Over the years, the Church has realized many notable 
accomplishments including significant growth in membership and ministry 
and continued outreach in the community.
  Mr. Speaker, I celebrate the rich legacy of First Baptist Church in 
Weldon, North Carolina and I ask that my colleagues join me in 
congratulating Rev. Burrell, the congregation, and the residents of 
Weldon on this historic milestone.

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