HONORING MT. CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH

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

HONORING MT. CALVARY 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 E1082-E1083] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING MT. CALVARY 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 Mount Calvary Baptist Church of Alexandria, Louisiana, a congregation whose history of faith, sacrifice, and service spans roughly eight decades. The church traces its roots to Good Faith Baptist Church, founded by the late Reverend N. H. Ailsworth, who served as its pastor for 3 years. On July 21, 1946, Reverend J. S. Lawson, a member of Good Faith who was also pastor of Bright Morning Star on Jet Hill in Cloverdale, Louisiana, was unanimously elected pastor. Several members of Bright Morning Star followed him, contributing to the growth of the church, and a few months later it was renamed Mount Calvary Baptist Church. Reverend Lawson appointed the church's first officers, including Brother Henry Clark as Senior Deacon, Sister Velma Anderson as Secretary, and Sister Jane Hampton as Clerk, along with its first deaconesses and choir leaders. For approximately 27 years, the congregation worshipped in a small frame building at 3109 Houston Street in Alexandria. Because of the church's growth and the poor condition of the building, it was torn down on May 19, 1970. The 40-by-80-foot lot did not meet the city's minimum lot area requirements for a new structure, so the search began for another site. In the meantime, services were held at New Kingdom Baptist Church, then under the leadership of Reverend Matthew Slaughter, an example of the cooperation among Alexandria's congregations. The answer came when Sister Lillie Lawson spotted a church for sale at 320 Daspit Street and contacted Deacon Huey Lawson, a real estate salesman, who brought the information to the membership. The price was $60,000, and the church had only $1,300 in the bank. Some members felt the price was too steep, but others believed that with God all things are possible. After many prayers and much bargaining, Southside Baptist Church lowered the price to $33,000, and through sacrifices and generous donations Mount Calvary bought the church. Dedication services were held the first week of December 1970 under the auspices of the Educational Missionary Baptist Association, then led by Reverend J.J. Rax. Mount Calvary thrived under Reverend Lawson, whose soul-stirring sermons and witty personality were matched by the work of loyal members. They included Brother Willie Anderson, who chaired the Deacon Board for more than 30 years; Brother R.L. Nash, Sunday School Superintendent; Sister Rosa Wells White, Sunday School Secretary; Sister Thelma Elie and Sister Delores Ashner of the Food Ministry; and Sister Ashner, President of the Deaconess Board, who helped start the Graduating High School Seniors Program. After the move, Cenla Community Action Committee located a Head Start Center in the building, and the church grew so quickly that the sanctuary had to be enlarged. Members of the disbanded Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Magda, Louisiana, also pastored by Reverend Lawson, later joined the congregation. Reverend Lawson served for a little over 40 years before failing health limited his time in the pulpit, and the congregation remained strong under three assistant pastors, Reverend Joseph Humphrey, Reverend Wilson King, and Reverend Huey Lawson. On December 22, 1986, fire caused extensive damage to the sanctuary and the rear of the church, and services were held at Smyrna Seventh Day Adventist Church, with Pastor Alfred Booker presiding, during the restoration. As renovations neared completion, Reverend Lawson passed, and the first service in the restored church was his funeral. In April 1987, Reverend Huey P. Lawson was elected pastor, and under his direction the church grew spiritually and physically. His tenure brought a Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting and Bible Study, the laying of the cornerstone, a steeple, renovated restrooms, a new pastor's study, and the purchase of several houses and of 3.7-acre and 15-acre tracts of land with plans for a new church facility. The church also established the J. S. Lawson Foundation, an Outreach Mission Ministry, and a Health Care Ministry, extending its service into the community. In July 2005, Reverend Ronnie Humphrey and the Saint Paul Baptist Church merged with the Mount Calvary family. Reverend Huey P. Lawson retired as pastor on January 6, 2008, and Reverend Ronnie Humphrey was elected pastor on January 13, 2008, and installed on February 14, 2008. Under his leadership, six new deacons were ordained in 2009, a church organ was purchased, a Youth Bible Study began, and the land for future expansion was paid off. Extensive renovations began in 2021, and in 2022 the sanctuary and women's classroom received state-of-the-art audio and visual enhancements and the kitchen was remodeled. Today, Mount Calvary Baptist Church continues its ministry in Alexandria, and many descendants of the ``Old Mount Calvary'' families, including the Anderson, Batiste, Humphrey, Lawson, Nash, and Obey families, still promote the growth and welfare of the church. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Mount Calvary Baptist Church and its congregation for its faith, perseverance, and service to the people of Alexandria. May Mount Calvary continue to grow in faith and in service for generations to come. [[Page E1083]] ____________________