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[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 72 (Wednesday, May 3, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E932-E933]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

                    TRIBUTE TO SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH

                                 ______

                          HON. JULIAN C. DIXON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 3, 1995
  Mr. DIXON. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that Representatives Maxine 
Waters and Walter Tucker have joined me to salute the Second Baptist 
Church of Los Angeles on the occasion of its 110th anniversary of 
providing outstanding ministry and spiritual leadership to Los Angeles' 
African-American community. On Friday, May 12 at the Westin Bonaventure 
Hotel, Second Baptist Church will hold its anniversary banquet to 
recognize the distinguished contributions of some of Los Angeles' most 
notable sons and daughters. In recognition of the empowering 
contributions that Second Baptist Church has made to our combined 
communities however, we would like to use this opportunity to share 
with our colleagues the following historical retrospective of this 
great church.
  For African-Americans the black church traditionally has served as a 
beacon of light and as a nurturing spiritual foundation. Clearly, 
Second Baptist Church stands as a personification of that force. 
Organized in 1885, Second Baptist Church began its spiritual journey 
with a small congregation of 22 members. Today, its congregation has 
swelled to 1,350 active and participating members.
  [[Page E933]] The church's first pastor was the Reverend S.C. Pierce, 
who conducted services atop an animal stable in old downtown Los 
Angeles. In 1887, under the spiritual leadership of the Reverend C.H. 
Anderson, the church purchased the land and erected its first sanctuary 
on Maple Avenue. The Reverend Anderson pastored Second Baptist Church 
for two decades. He was followed in 1908 by the Reverend J.L. McCoy, 
who served until 1915. The Reverend H.D. Prowd succeeded Pastor McCoy; 
he served from 1915 to 1920.
  In 1921, the Reverend Thomas L. Griffith answered the call to pastor 
Second Baptist Church's burgeoning congregation. Four years later in 
1925, the church erected and moved to its present edifice at 2412 
Griffith Avenue. Designed in the Lombard Romanesque style by famed Los 
Angeles architects Paul R. Williams and Norman Marsh, the church has 
been designated as a historical landmark by the city of Los Angeles.
  The Reverend Griffith was succeeded in 1941 by the Reverend J. 
Raymond Henderson. During his 20 years of ministry, the church 
liquidated its mortgage of $83,000, underwent a complete renovation, 
constructed a parsonage and a Christian education building, and 
purchased an apartment building, a parking lot, and a community center.
  In 1963, the Reverend Thomas Kilgore, Jr. became pastor of Second 
Baptist Church. It was under his leadership that the church solidified 
its base as an influential and important force in the future of Los 
Angeles' African-American community. During his leadership, the church 
succeeded in helping to reorder the priorities of community leaders to 
include the less fortunate and traditionally underserved members of Los 
Angeles society. He
 raised the community's social consciousness and established Second 
Baptist Church as a force not to be dismissed in formulating plans for 
the future of our neighborhoods and communities. Dr. Kilgore 
established programs to meet the needs of citizens that were otherwise 
not being addressed. He oversaw the construction of Griffith Gardens, a 
38-unit apartment building, and established a child development center 
at the church. In addition, the church's social hall underwent a 
complete renovation and two parking lots were purchased. Today, the 
Reverend Kilgore serves as pastor emeritus of Second Baptist Church.

  In October 1987 the Reverend William S. Epps answered the call to 
pastor Second Baptist Church. Today, the church operates a Christian 
education program, a community social service program, the Pueblo 
Christian Action Center, and the Second Baptist Child Development 
Center.
  In addition, under the Reverend Epps' able leadership and ministry, 
the church regularly convenes seminars and forums as it continues to 
address the problems endemic to our communities today. Second Baptist 
Church extends its ministry far beyond the pulpit of its majestic 
stained-glass-surrounded sanctuary. It is an increasingly important 
force in our community as it provides spiritual nourishment to its 
flock, and also seeks to provide spiritual and economic renewal for the 
disenfranchised members of the community. It provides hope where there 
is often no hope and it inspires the spirits of men, women, and 
children by helping them to realize a better tomorrow.
  Few would argue about the increasingly important correlation that 
exists between the church and a healthy and prosperous community. For 
over a century, Second Baptist Church has contributed to that 
prosperity by offering a ministry that nurtures the soul and empowers 
the mind. By providing economic and spiritual empowerment to the 
community, it continues to shine as a beacon of hope for the future. We 
are proud to recognize and commend this historic edifice and to 
congratulate the Reverend Epps, the Reverend Thomas Kilgore, Jr., and 
the members of Second Baptist Church for their ministry and leadership 
to the Los Angeles community. Please join us in extending our profound 
best wishes for continued success in the future.

                          ____________________
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