Recognizing the 127th Anniversary of the Greater Ward Chapel Ame Church

Floor Speech

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Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor The Greater Ward Chapel African American Episcopal Church as they celebrate their 127th church anniversary. An event to celebrate this singular occasion was held on Sunday, June 23, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. at the church in Columbus, Georgia.

Ward Chapel rose from humble beginnings in 1897 under a bush at the corner of Thirteenth Avenue and 24th Street in Columbus, Georgia. The first pastor of the church was Reverend R.W. Miller. After that, Reverend Swindom assumed the mantle of leadership and pastored for one year. Rev. W.J. Ferguson became the next pastor and moved the church to 26th Street, helping to rebuild it. In 1913, the church was reconstructed a second time.

In 1937, The Reverend R.D. Griffin was appointed as the next pastor. In 1939, the church was forced to move from the 26th Street location by the Government Housing Authority. The church was moved to Pou Street and was rebuilt in 1940 for the third time. The dedication of this building in honor of God was held on April 16, 1944, by the Presiding Elder of the Savannah District at the time, the Reverend R.L. Butler. This location included the first parsonage built in the history of the church.

Reverend C.K. Knight took the helm of the church in 1949. Blessed by a spirit of benevolence, he made it possible for any child that desired to matriculate at Morris Brown College to improve their quality of life. Because of the passing of the Reverend M.C. Davis, Reverend Knight became the Presiding Elder of the Columbus District in January 1955. Reverend Knight never forgot about this love for Ward Chapel and helped to select its next visionary leader, the Reverend S.F. Jackson.

Reverend Jackson was driven by his desire to serve the Lord and to make Ward Chapel the best church in the East Columbus District. Many contributions happened under his leadership to include the renovation of the parsonage and church; the organ was paid off and new pews were purchased. Furthermore, an additional choir was formed--the Cathedral Choir which was later renamed the S.F. Jackson Choir. Rev. Jackson was reassigned to Americus, Georgia in 1961.

The Reverend M.L. Hood was appointed as the next pastor and served at the church briefly. He was followed by the Reverend M.B. Mclendon. The greatest accomplishment of Rev. Mclendon, besides bringing souls to Christ, was the building of a new church edifice. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on November 16, 1967, to celebrate this great milestone in the life of the church.

Another parsonage of the church was purchased in 1984 at the cost of $60,000. The Reverend R.B. Bass was appointed pastor in 1984 and his family was its first occupants. Rev. Bass served the church faithfully from April 1984 to May 1997. Among his many accomplishments included the mortgage burnings of both the church and the parsonage, the installation of new carpet, and the cushioning of the pews.

Reverend Otis C. Duncan was the next caretaker of this remarkable church. He served faithfully until his retirement in February of 2014. Rev Duncan's accomplishments were indeed special. During his transformational ministry, Rev. Duncan transitioned the church to a new ministry by changing the name of the church to The Greater Ward Chapel AME Church in anticipation of the church accomplishing even greater things for the Kingdom of God.

On May 10, 2012, the church selected a new and dynamic leader to shepherd the Greater Ward Chapel flock in the form of the Reverend Conitras M. Houston Dickens, or as she affectionately became known as ``Pastor C.'' She was the youngest ever pastor to serve at the church and was its first female pastor. During her tenure, the Greater Ward Chapel Development Center was established to provide after school care was well as Summer Camp to community children, the Boy Scout Troop 11- 1, the Calvin Smyre Pastoral Scholarship, the Voices of Wonder Young Adult Choir, and many other ministries were founded under her incredible leadership.

In October of 2016, Bishop Reginald Jackson appointed the Reverend Terrance Evan's as the new pastor. Pastor Evans has truly built upon the great leaders of the Greater Ward Chapel's past while putting his own visionary niche on the church's bright future. Accomplishments that were made under his stellar leadership include a new front awning, the paying off of the church van and debts, and replacement of the church's roof.

Over the years, people from all walks of life have made a difference in the church and worked well together for the betterment of the Kingdom. The current members of Greater Ward Chapel continue to build on the legacy of labor and love that have set the standard for the church's success. The Greater Ward Chapel's parishioners have worshipped the Lord in spirit and in truth and have governed themselves as humble, spirit filled believers who are keen to do all they can as servants of God.

Mr. Speaker, today I ask my colleagues to join my wife Vivian and me, along with the more than 765,000 people of Georgia's Second Congressional District in extending our sincerest congratulations to The Greater Ward Chapel AME Church and its current pastor, Reverend Curtis Frazier, as they celebrate 127 glorious years of serving God and his people. May Reverend Frazier and church members continue to press forward to the high mark of service and humility set forth by Jesus Christ.

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