HONORING ST. MATTHEW BAPTIST CHURCH

On 2026-10-15, Representative Cleo Fields (D-LA-6) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING ST. MATTHEW BAPTIST CHURCH" in the House.

HONORING ST. MATTHEW BAPTIST CHURCH

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 161 (Thursday, October 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 161 (Thursday, October 15, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E1092-E1093] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING ST. MATTHEW BAPTIST CHURCH ______ HON. CLEO FIELDS of louisiana in the house of representatives Thursday, October 15, 2026 Mr. FIELDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor St. Matthew Baptist Church of Alexandria, Louisiana, which was organized on October 5, 1869, and has served its community with faith and devotion for more than 150 years. Born from a vision and an open heart, St. Matthew built its first facility on Sunny Island under the leadership of the late Reverend Jake Johnson. The building was large enough to hold three rows of pews, and the congregation also built a parsonage for its pastor and established burial grounds where many of its forebears are laid to rest. The congregation worshiped at that location for 66 years, and in that time the church became a place where families worshiped, raised their children, and laid their loved ones to rest. In 1935, rising river waters forced St. Matthew to relocate. The Odd Fellows and Ruth's, a local fraternal organization whose members were also members of the church, dedicated a half-acre of land for a second church home. That gift shows how closely St. Matthew's story is tied to the people around it, and the church has long drawn strength from that spirit of community partnership. By 1984, the church roll recorded 187 members, and it continued to grow, adding to the strength of the faith community of Alexandria. Beyond worship, St. Matthew served as an educational center. The lodge allowed the church to use its hall for school, which became known as Luckett Elementary School and soon became the educational center for the whole community. By giving children a place to learn, the church and its neighbors showed that faith and service to the community go together, and that investment in education is an investment in the future. This history of service reaches well beyond the walls of the sanctuary and remains part of the church's legacy in Alexandria. St. Matthew has been guided by devoted pastors, including Reverend Jake Johnson, Reverend William Young, Reverend Robert Cleveland, Reverend P.H. McGruder, Reverend Dave D. Smith, and Pastor Emeritus Reverend Joe S. Green. Reverend Frank Jackson serves today as Senior Pastor. Each generation of pastoral leadership has helped carry the congregation forward, preaching and teaching the gospel and nurturing a church family that has stood as a pillar of the faith community in Alexandria. In May 1985, the church obtained 10 acres of land where it stands today. Since that time, God has blessed St. Matthew with rapid growth in its ministries and membership. The church remains dedicated to preaching and teaching the gospel, firmly standing on the word of God, with the mission of ``Making Disciples.'' That mission shapes the church's impact on the faith community of Alexandria, as it helps believers grow in faith and prepares them to serve others. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring St. Matthew and its congregation for more than 150 years of faith, perseverance, and service to the people of Alexandria. May St. Matthew continue to make disciples, [[Page E1093]] strengthen the faith community, and serve its neighbors for generations to come. ____________________