The publication is reproduced in full below:
CELEBRATING THE 150TH CHURCH ANNIVERSARY OF ZION TRAVELER CHURCH
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HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON-
of mississippi
in the house of representatives
Monday, September 20, 2021
Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the legacy and service of a remarkable church, Greater Zion Travelers M.B. Church.
Zion Traveler Church was organized on the 31st of July 1871 by Reverend Albert Young. Zion Travelers started out with just 30 members and since its founding has only had 13 Pastors: Rev. E.D. Jones, Rev. S.S. Butler, Rev. A.R. Tillman, Rev. J. West, Rev. Hue White, Rev. Henderson, Rev. Albert (Abe) Richie, Rev. C.J. Stevenson, Rev. U.E. Jones, Rev. C.H. Lowe, Rev. Willie Lewis, and Rev. Casey Fisher.
Rev. Lewis was elected as pastor in February 1967. One year into his stewardship, the congregation built a brick building with central heat, central air, two restrooms, running water, and a baptismal pool. This new building symbolized new beginnings for the church and thus led to its renaming: Greater Zion Travelers M.B. Church. Officers who served under him were Bro. Eugene Snow, Bro. Ivory Smith, Brother Hubert Smith, Bro. Sylvester Fields, Bro. Eddie Cooper, Bro. Louis McGriggs, and Bro. Talmadge Ross. Later, he added, Bro. Excell Snow, Bro. Robert Marbra, Bro. Upson, Bro. Claude Smith, Bro. James Simon, and Bro. Demell McGriggs. Trustees: Sis. Willie M. Callahan and Bro. C.P. Lyons.
The members were so dedicated that they paid the mortgage off in only 10 years. They continued to build upon that success by purchasing an organ, new pews with cushion seats, piano, bulletin board, desk, and chairs. Greater Zion was the only church at this time that had an asphalt parking lot. Rev. Lewis became Pastor Emeritus in May 2013. He died October 10, 2013, as the longest serving pastor of Greater Zion with 46 years.
Rev. Fisher, the son of Sharkey and the Late Katie Fisher, was elected pastor of Greater Zion May 2013. Rev. Fisher was reared in this church and brought excitement with his selection. He has continued the legacy of Greater Zion through area beautification, (installing the embossed name on the church, added three crosses at the entrance of the church), building renovations (removed carpet and replaced with treated concrete flooring, replaced carpet in the choir loft, purchased new furniture for the quiet room, Pastor's office, business office, and fellowship hall) and modernization. In honor of Reverend Lewis, Pastor Fisher dedicated the rear church entrance as the Willie Lewis Lane. He instituted the Church's first and only motto: ``The Church on the Corner where Christ is the Center''.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Greater Zion has been a leader in providing much needed food and cleaning supplies to the community. In May 2020, Greater Zion partnered with local, county, and state elected officials to conduct Operation Give Back-Utica. Over 300 families were blessed. During the historic ice storm of 2021, Rev. Fisher and his members coordinated with State Representative Stephanie Foster for water distribution for the community. Six pallets (504 cases) of water were distributed.
Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the legacy, and service of Greater Zion Travelers M.B. Church.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 162
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