HONORING PROGRESSIVE BAPTIST CHURCH

On 2026-10-05, Representative Cleo Fields (D-LA-6) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING PROGRESSIVE BAPTIST CHURCH" in the House.

HONORING PROGRESSIVE BAPTIST CHURCH

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 157 (Monday, October 5, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 157 (Monday, October 5, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E1023-E1024] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING PROGRESSIVE BAPTIST CHURCH ______ HON. CLEO FIELDS of louisiana in the house of representatives Monday, October 5, 2026 Mr. FIELDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a great church in my district, Progressive Baptist Church of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The church traces its beginnings to 1915, when a group of dedicated, God- fearing men and women came together with a shared desire to establish a house of worship that would meet the spiritual and physical needs of their community. Among its early founders were Eli and Susie Washington, James and Rosie Debose, John and Rose Taylor, Samuel and Hattie Knox, Robert and Mrs. Mills. Samuel Rhodes, Ernest ``Pet'' Coakley, Rev. Spencer C. Heedly, and contractor Jefferson Monroe. Their vision became Progressive Baptist Church, established at the corner of Julia and Elvira Streets, now South 10th Street. Building the church was truly a labor of faith and love. After completing their regular jobs, the men worked late into the night on the building while the women held lights, served coffee, and supported the effort. Until the sanctuary was completed, the congregation worshiped at a nearby Presbyterian church under Rev. J.G. Lee. The early sanctuary was simple, furnished with folding wooden chairs and heated by a wood- or coal-burning stove, yet neither weather nor limited resources diminished the congregation's enthusiasm for worship, and a large bell in the church belfry became a familiar call to worship throughout the surrounding community. Rev. Spencer C. Heedly, Progressive's first pastor, led the congregation as its ministries and departments took shape, and the church's [[Page E1024]] first cornerstone dates to January 9, 1916. Members sacrificed their time and resources to sustain the growing church, including the women of the Deaconess Board, who prepared and sold Saturday suppers to raise funds. Rev. Heedly served for approximately 16 years until his death in 1932. Rev. Matthew W. Rivers became the second pastor in 1932, and under his leadership the church was remodeled and a second cornerstone was laid on January 9, 1942; he served faithfully for 11 years until his death in 1943. On December 12, 1943, Rev. Robert Douglas Thomas became the third pastor and began a remarkable 45-year pastorate, with particular emphasis on developing children and young people through choirs, Sunday School, Baptist Training Union, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, Youth-in-Action, youth encampments, and mission ministry. His decades of leadership helped shape generations of Progressive members until his death on November 9, 1988. Rev. Joseph James Mitchell became the fourth pastor on April 19, 1989. During his tenure of approximately 11 years, Progressive established a Children's Church, organized evangelistic teams that ministered throughout the neighborhood, acquired additional property, purchased a church van, and expanded opportunities for Bible study. Following his resignation in September 1999, Rev. Everett G. Parker, Sr., provided spiritual leadership through June 2000. In June 2000, Rev. Melvin Ray Rushing, Jr., was called to lead Progressive, bringing a renewed commitment to discipleship, fellowship, and evangelism, along with a new vision and mission statement. During his leadership, the Men's Ministry was organized, the sanctuary was remodeled, the parsonage was refurbished for outreach purposes, and the youth ministry was reorganized and strengthened. Rev. Rushing served faithfully until his transition from labor to reward on September 5, 2021, after which Rev. Kendall Fieling, a devoted friend of Pastor Rushing and the Progressive family, provided leadership from September 12, 2021, until September 18, 2022. A new chapter began on September 19, 2022, when Progressive welcomed its sixth pastor, Elder DeAndre M. White Sr., of Cleveland, Ohio, who was formally installed on January 15, 2023. Under Pastor White's leadership, the church has continued building on the foundation laid by generations before it while expanding its ministry for a changing world. Progressive has made significant improvements to its sanctuary and ministry infrastructure, including new media and livestreaming capabilities, an upgraded sound system, renovated ADA-accessible restrooms, improvements to its kitchen and fire-suppression systems, and electronic giving options, along with the development of additional ministries, including Impact Ministry, HBO Ministry, and Church Security Ministry. The church has also expanded its digital presence through its website and social media platforms, allowing its ministry to reach beyond the walls of the sanctuary, and Pastor White has appointed a new generation of deacons to serve and lead alongside him. From a small group of faithful believers willing to work late into the night to build a place of worship, to a congregation now using modern technology to carry the Gospel beyond its walls, Progressive Baptist Church's story is one of faith, sacrifice, perseverance, service, and progress. For more than a century, the church has remained rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ while continuing to grow with each generation. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating Progressive Baptist Church, Pastor DeAndre M. White, Sr., and the dedicated congregation for more than a century of faithful service and leadership in Baton Rouge. ____________________