HONORING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, BERKLEY

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 150th anniversary of First Baptist Church, Berkley in Norfolk, Virginia.

In 1865, thirty members of Bank Street Baptist Church began praying in a tent abandoned by Union soldiers after the culmination of the Civil War. These meetings were later moved to the homes of the various members. On April 15, 1868, these individuals received letters of dismissal from Bank Street Baptist and left to begin a new church led by Reverend Samuel S. Jones.

The new church was initially called Cedar Grove Baptist, receiving its name from the cedar trees that lined the road to the church. An empty plantation building served as the first church building and services were held in a large upper room. The congregation soon outgrew the plantation building and moved to a new worship hall on the corner of Pine and Walnut Streets. Reverend Richard Wright was elected the new pastor of Cedar Grove Baptist. Reverend Wright began fund-raising for a new hall of worship, but passed away prior to completion. Reverend Madison Lewis served as pastor for nearly 10 years and was leading the church at the completion of First Baptist Church Montaland. Unfortunately, the Montaland church building was devastated by a fire in 1908 and a new church could not be constructed until 1910. After the fire, the congregation met at the local Masonic Hall.

In 1910, the new church building, named First Baptist Church, Berkley, opened its doors to the Norfolk community. Throughout the church's entire history, First Baptist Church, Berkley has had a rich legacy of outreach. During the Great Depression, under the leadership of Reverend John Carter Diamond, the church helped feed the community by opening soup kitchens and bread lines. The church created a nursery and hired unemployed mothers to supplement their family income. With a focus on education, the nursery was converted into a church kindergarten.

In 1963, Reverend William Tyree, Jr. began his pastorship with a philosophy of educating the congregation. Under his leadership, several classes were created to benefit all members of the church. Through his strong belief in education, Reverend Tyree formed the Tri-Committee, which focused on the church's outreach into the community through social and civic engagement. Reverend Tyree recognized the need for a new church facility and led the congregation in an effort to build the current location of First Baptist Church, Berkley at Berkley Avenue and Culpepper Street, which opened on June 22, 1986. Reverend Tyree served the church for more than 32 years before his passing on December 23, 1994. His son, William D. Tyree, III, began his pastorship in May of 1996 and continues to serve the church today.

Over the last 150 years, 13 pastors have served the church's congregation--Rev. Samuel S. Jones, Rev. Richard Wright, Rev. Madison Lewis, Rev. H.L. Barco, Rev. Sutton Griggs, Rev. J.H. Randolph, Rev. W.R. Slade, Rev. Lafayette Sharpe, Rev. A.O. Bello, Rev. John Carter Diamond, Rev. Noel C. Taylor, Rev. William D. Tyree, Jr., and Rev. William D. Tyree, III.

Mr. Speaker, as First Baptist Church, Berkley of Norfolk, Virginia celebrates this historic milestone, the congregation can rejoice in 150 years of successful discipleship and public service in the Hampton Roads community. I would like to congratulate the 13th pastor of First Baptist Church, Berkley, Reverend William D. Tyree, III, and all of the members of the church's congregation on the occasion of its 150th Anniversary. I wish them many more years of fellowship and dedicated service to the community.