ON THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH EAST END

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia: Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate an institution in my hometown of Newport News. On Friday, May 28, 2010, Second Baptist Church East End will celebrate its 100th anniversary, and I would like to highlight some moments from the history of the church and its contribution to our community.

Second Baptist was organized during the first week of May, 1910, with Minnie Jones, A.B. Lucy, Rebecca Vaughan and Daniel Peters serving as charter members. The first worship service was held on the second Sunday in May 1910 at the Odd Fellows Hall in the 1100 block of 33rd Street, with Reverend J.E. Tynes serving as the guest speaker.

The church chose Reverend H.H. McLean as its first pastor. Under his leadership the church membership increased rapidly--a new church building was built in less than a year with the first worship service being celebrated Easter Sunday, April 16, 1911. Under Rev. McLean's leadership, many church organizations were founded that are still alive today, including the Choir, the Deacon Board, the Board of Trustees, the Sunday School, the Baptist Young People's Union and the Willing Workers Club.

Second Baptist has had eleven pastors throughout its history, including Rev. F.A. Brown, Rev. W.S. Sharp, Rev. A.A. Watts, Rev. O.B. Allen, Rev. John Tilley, Rev. L.A. Williams, Rev. E.D. Harrell, Rev. O.L. Simms, Rev. Preston T. Hayes, and Rev. Avery E. Miller.

Under Rev. Sharp, the church was able to pay off its mortgage. Under Rev. Watts, multiple improvements were made to the church including the furnishing of stained glass windows, chandeliers and carpeting. The term of Rev. Allen saw the purchase of a parsonage. Rev. Harrell added a basement and annex to the church building. Under Rev. Simms a new parsonage was purchased and a new organ installed.

The longest serving Pastor in the history of Second Baptist was Rev. Preston T. Hayes, who succeeded Rev. Simms in July 1956. Under Rev. Hayes' leadership, multiple organizations and ministries were formed, including: The Layman Fellowship; The Women's Prayer Breakfast; Youth Fellowship; Blind and Deaf Ministries; and the Wednesday Morning and Evening Bible Classes. While at Second Baptist, Rev. Hayes was elected President of the Virginia Baptist General Convention (1977-79). During his tenure as President, the Convention formed a Division of Men to provide an avenue through which the Men of the Convention could utilize their skills and talents in promoting Christian stewardship and support for their local congregations. Rev. Hayes passed away in 2001, and the church dedicated the Preston T. Hayes Center for Christian Education in his honor. In the period between permanent pastors, the church continued Rev. Hayes' tradition of establishing programs to serve the church and the community by starting a Mentoring Program and a Computer Lab.

Rev. Hayes was succeeded by Second Baptist's current pastor, Rev. Avery E. Miller. Under Rev. Miller, Second Baptist has continued to flourish with the establishment of a Media Ministry, a Nursing Home Ministry, a Singles Ministry, and Mannah Inc., the Church's non-profit community service organization. Among Mannah's numerous efforts to serve the East End community are: one-on-one services for at-risk children in school; afterschool tutorial programs; summer day camps; and a weekly feeding program.

As Second Baptist gathers to celebrate its centennial, the church can truly remember its past, celebrate its present, and focus on the future with great expectations. I would like to congratulate Pastor Miller and all of the members of Second Baptist Church East End on the occasion of their 100th anniversary. I wish them 100 more years of dedicated service to the community.