WESLEY GROVE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 125TH ANNIVERSARY

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia: Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate a legacy of faith and community in Virginia's Third Congressional District. This year, Wesley Grove United Church of Christ in Newport News, Virginia is celebrating its 125th anniversary, and I would like to take a moment to reflect on the history of this esteemed institution and its contributions to the greater Newport News community.

Originally organized in 1887 by a group including Reverend J.H. Edlow and Deacon G. Wesley Raney, the Wesley Grove congregation originally met in a building just 20 by 30 feet, at the time too large for the small congregation. As a poor congregation, it was difficult for them to pay for this space. Fortunately, the congregation found ways to make ends meet, and in 1895, under Reverend James M. Parson, a new house of worship was completed.

In 1897, Elder S.A. Howell became pastor of the Church. As time went by, the congregation continued to expand, eventually growing to over 1,000 and finding itself in need of a larger place of worship. Under the leadership of Reverend Howell, a new building was constructed on the 700 block of 19th Street in Newport News. Dedicated in 1900, this building was used by the congregation under the leadership of Reverend T.S. Crayton, Reverend J.B. Jones, Reverend Thomas J. Moore, and Reverend Zander P. Jenkins.

In 1964, under the leadership of Reverend Jenkins, having once again outgrown their place of worship due to mergers with other congregations, the Wesley Grove congregation completed the purchase of a building owned by another local church. Reverend Jenkins, feeling called to serve elsewhere, left the congregation in 1970.

Over the next few years, the congregation struggled without a pastor at times. Reverend Vernon Harris served the congregation for a year in 1972 before Reverend Jenkins, having fulfilled his calling to other congregations, returned in 1974. Unfortunately, Reverend Jenkins passed away suddenly, leaving Wesley Grove again without a pastor.

With Reverend Jenkins' passing, Reverend G. Wesley Raney, III, the grandson of one of Wesley Grove's founders, proved ready to lead the congregation. During his ministry, the church flourished. Feeling called to pastor a church in another state, Reverend Raney left Wesley Grove in 1985, and was succeeded by Reverend Isaac L. McDonald. Under his leadership, numerous programs were established to help Newport News youth excel in their educational pursuits.

Reverend McDonald was succeeded by Reverend Prince Raney Rivers, who was called to minister Wesley Grove as both a pastor and a teacher until 2005. A descendant of one of the founders of the church, Reverend Rivers presided over another period of tremendous growth for the church. Under his leadership, the Church established new ministries, expanded membership, and created lasting community partnerships to address issues and challenges facing the community.

Reverend McDonald was succeeded by Reverend Dr. Alexander Jamison, Sr., who served the community from 2007 until 2011.

Wesley Grove remains committed to maintaining its legacy of faith and community action to this day. With a congregation that has historically included a large number of professionals in the field of education, Wesley Grove established education programs that include after school tutoring and Project REACT, a technology focused tutoring program to help improve students' performance. It has also provided numerous scholarships to college bound students, including the G. Wesley Raney III Scholarship, the Olivia Smith Scholarship, and the Emma Gupton Scholarship. Wesley Grove also has an accomplished and talented choir program, featuring a men's choir, a senior's choir, and a children's choir. These programs, amongst others, continue to demonstrate Wesley Grove's commitment to the Newport News community.

As the Wesley Grove United Church of Christ gathers to celebrate this historic milestone, the church can truly remember its past, celebrate its present, and focus on its future. I would like to congratulate all of the members of the Wesley Grove United Church of Christ on the occasion of its 125th Anniversary, and I wish them many more years of dedicated service to the community.