Congressional Record - Proceedings and Debates of the 109th Congress, First Session

{July 26, 2006}

House of Representatives

Statement of the Honorable Marion Berry
IN HONOR OF THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF PINE CITY'S 100TH ANNIVERSARY
 
Mr. Speaker, I rise here today to recognize the First Baptist Church of Pine City which will celebrate its l00th anniversary this August. This is a significant milestone for a church community dedicated to fellowship and service.

The First Baptist Church of Pine City was founded in 1906 under the guidance of Rev. John Smith. The congregation spent the first decade worshiping in temporary locations throughout Pine City, including a brush harbor on Rev. Smith's farm, the Beaten School, and even an old house. The church community finally bought land for a church on November 4, 1916 from Parker C. and Georgia Ewans for just $10.00. Once the sale was finalized, the congregation came together to build a church, pitching in to cut down trees and haul lumber from the saw mill.

When the congregation outgrew this facility in 1954, the community came together once again to build the current First Baptist Church of Pine City. Members raised money for the new building by selling dinner plates on Sundays after the church service, donating daily salaries earned by picking cotton in the fields, and even raffling off a bale of cotton. The congregation has made many improvements to the church over the years and looks forward to continuing these improvements in the future.

A total of 2l preachers have served the First Baptist Church of Pine City over the last 100 years including the current pastor, Rev. I.E. Holland, Sr., who has led the community in worship for 22 years. On August 13, 2006, the First Baptist Church of Pine City will gather to celebrate the l00th anniversary of their church community.


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