congressional_record: CREC-2017-05-02-pt1-PgE586-2
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| granule_id | date | congress | session | volume | issue | title | chamber | granule_class | sub_granule_class | page_start | page_end | speakers | bills | citation | full_text |
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| CREC-2017-05-02-pt1-PgE586-2 | 2017-05-02 | 115 | 1 | RECOGNITION OF FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH CENTRALIA | HOUSE | EXTENSIONS | RECOGNIZING | E586 | E586 | [{"name": "A. Donald McEachin", "role": "speaking"}] | 163 Cong. Rec. E586 | Congressional Record, Volume 163 Issue 75 (Tuesday, May 2, 2017) [Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 75 (Tuesday, May 2, 2017)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E586] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] RECOGNITION OF FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH CENTRALIA _____ HON. A. DONALD McEACHIN of virginia in the house of representatives Tuesday, May 2, 2017 Mr. McEACHIN. Mr. Speaker, this year marks the 150th Anniversary of First Baptist Church Centralia, founded in 1867 in Chesterfield County, Virginia Originally Salem African Baptist Church, the African American congregation held its first 30 years of services under an arbor made of brush on a modest one-acre plot. The first building was officially erected in 1897 under the leadership of the Reverend T. H. Johnson, incorporating Gothic Revival and Colonial Revival style elements. Later this building was remodeled by Reverend William Thomas into the historic building we know today as Centralia, featuring its signature twin towers. Under the leadership of Reverend Samuel Carter and Dr. Wilson E. Brown Shannon the church grew as a congregation and as a spiritual beacon for its members. Dr. Shannon extended the reach of the church by expanding the Samuel Moss Carter Family Life Center to accommodate up to 150 preschool children, banquet amenities to accommodate 750 occupants, and other family life ministry facilities including an indoor Olympic sized swimming pool. Shortly after the groundbreaking of this highly anticipated Family Life Center, the Historic First Baptist Church Centralia was destroyed by fire on April 16, 1996. Rebuilt to original specifications in 1997 following the arson attack, a rededication ceremony was held in celebration. On November 22, 2014, the Historic First Baptist Church Centralia was designated a Chesterfield County Historic Landmark. A Virginia Historical Highway Marker was also erected in recognition of its historical and architectural significance in November 2015. As First Baptist Church Centralia celebrates its 150th year anniversary, may your efforts and continued courage to spread the gospel of God through oratory teachings, community involvement and leadership be commended. ____________________ |