HONORING ROSE OF SHARON BAPTIST CHURCH

On 2026-10-06, Representative Cleo Fields (D-LA-6) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING ROSE OF SHARON BAPTIST CHURCH" in the House.

HONORING ROSE OF SHARON BAPTIST CHURCH

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 158 (Tuesday, October 6, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 158 (Tuesday, October 6, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E1037-E1038] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING ROSE OF SHARON BAPTIST CHURCH ______ HON. CLEO FIELDS of louisiana in the house of representatives Tuesday, October 6, 2026 Mr. FIELDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Rose of Sharon Baptist Church of Alexandria, Louisiana, a congregation that has been dedicated to sharing the Word of God for more than a century and has long been an important part of the faith community of Alexandria. The church traces its origins to March 3, 1908, when about 65 people gathered for worship in Butler Hall on Lee Street in Alexandria. The group was so impressed by a young minister from Avoyelles Parish, Rev. James Wesley White, that on April 26, 1908, they invited him to preach, and on May 14, 1908, they formally appointed him as their pastor, establishing the church with seven deacons, seven deaconesses, and nine trustees. In 1908, the congregation purchased a lot and building at the corner of 10th and St. James Streets, but the building was destroyed by fire in 1911. The church quickly rebuilt, and under Rev. J.W. White's leadership it grew to about 400 members and expanded into auxiliaries such as choirs, mission societies, youth groups, and educational boards, each deepening the spiritual life of the congregation and its service to the community. On March 20, 1947, following the passing of Rev. J.W. White, the church elected his son, Rev. Willie Augustus White, as pastor. Under his guidance, the church underwent major renovations, established more auxiliaries, and deepened its involvement in the Eighth District Missionary Baptist Association, the Louisiana Missionary Baptist State Convention, and the National Baptist Convention, USA. In 1959, a building committee planned a new church. Groundbreaking took place on July 12, 1959, and the current building was dedicated on June 12, 1960, at a cost of $175,000. The mortgage was paid off in 1966. The church acquired additional property for parking, and its grounds came to extend from St. James Street to Winn Street. The later arrival of Interstate 49 transformed the surrounding area, but the church continued to grow in line with its vision. The story of Rose of Sharon is also a story of resilience. A congregation that rebuilt quickly after a devastating fire just 3 years after its founding, that dedicated a new sanctuary in 1960 and paid off its mortgage within six years, and that continued to grow even as Interstate 49 reshaped the neighborhood [[Page E1038]] around it, has shown the strength of a community that holds together through change. For generations, its choirs, mission societies, youth groups, and educational boards have given families a place to worship, learn, serve, and belong, and have helped shape the spiritual lives of countless Alexandria residents. The church's reach has extended beyond its own walls. Through its involvement in the Eighth District Missionary Baptist Association, the Louisiana Missionary Baptist State Convention, and the National Baptist Convention, USA, Rose of Sharon has stood alongside other congregations in the shared work of strengthening Baptist churches and carrying out the mission of the church at the district, state, and national levels. In this way, it has contributed to the strength and unity of the broader faith community of Alexandria and beyond. Today, Rose of Sharon Baptist Church, led by Rev. Carl Owens, remains a Baptist congregation dedicated to sharing the Word of God, evangelism, and holistic ministry through spiritual, educational, and recreational programs. Its history reflects a steadfast commitment to community service, growth, and enduring faith, and its spiritual, educational, and recreational programs continue to serve the needs of its members and neighbors alike. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating Rose of Sharon Baptist Church, Rev. Carl Owens, and the dedicated congregation for more than a century of faith and service to the Alexandria community and its faith community. May Rose of Sharon continue to be a source of strength, encouragement, and hope in Alexandria for generations to come. ____________________