HONORING ST. STEPHEN BAPTIST CHURCH

On 2026-06-03, Representative Morgan McGarvey (D-KY-3) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING ST. STEPHEN BAPTIST CHURCH" in the House.

HONORING ST. STEPHEN BAPTIST CHURCH

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 94 (Wednesday, June 3, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 94 (Wednesday, June 3, 2026)] [House] [Page H3780] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING ST. STEPHEN BAPTIST CHURCH (Mr. McGarvey of Kentucky was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Mr. McGARVEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor St. Stephen Baptist Church of Louisville, Kentucky. This year St. Stephen will be celebrating its 100th anniversary as a congregation. Mr. Speaker, 100 years is an incredible milestone for any person or organization, but St. Stephen's century of service in Kentucky is one that deserves special recognition. The Book of Matthew tells us that a church can exist wherever two or three gather in His name. Well, 100 years ago, in 1926, it wasn't much more than that, as 14 faithful believers gathered in a borrowed basement and started what has now become the largest Black church in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. It is a wonderful church. The music is fantastic. The congregation is warm and welcoming. I have recently heard another pastor say that if there is a Mount Rushmore of preachers, Dr. Kevin W. Cosby is on it. Amen. I want my colleagues here to know that St. Stephen has never just been a place to gather and worship. As Dr. Cosby wrote in his book ``Getting to the Promised Land,'' the Black church cannot exist solely as a place where the community goes to experience a Sunday respite from the pressing burden of our people's history and present. As the preeminent institution for ADOS, Black churches in America must fill their sanctuaries with exhortations to carry out the sort of justice work that will relieve us of that burden. Not only does it have a proud legacy of service and activism, St. Stephen is an undeniable bedrock of Black education in our Commonwealth and in our country. Yes, the church offers educational programming, and at several points throughout its history, it has chosen to build an educational building or a family life center instead of merely expanding the size of its worship space. But nowhere is the church's commitment to education more evident than its relationship with Simmons University. Going back to its beginnings, St. Stephen's first pastor, Reverend B.J. Miller, who led the church for 44 years, was a young Simmons University student. Founded in 1879 by formerly enslaved Baptists, Simmons quickly became a national leader and was only one of two HBCUs in the country with both a medical school and a law school, educating Black lawyers, doctors, teachers, and ministers who went on to lead the civil rights movement just decades later. Reverend Miller himself helped integrate the Southern Seminary and played a vital role in the push for equal rights in Louisville. Now, here is where things get really interesting. In 1930, the Great Depression, combined with discriminatory policies, forced Simmons to foreclose on its campus. A cornerstone of Black education and a premier institution of higher learning was seemingly gone forever. I think there are lots of ways to have faith, but one of the ways to have faith is to understand that God has a redemptive plan for us and our world. We don't get to know the details. It might not always be easy. But as the Proverbs tell us, if you trust in the Lord with all your heart, he will make the path straight. Reverend Miller, who was that Simmons University student, was eventually succeeded by his grandson, Dr. Kevin W. Cosby, who was just 20 years old when he took over the church in 1979. Yes, together, the two of them have shepherded this congregation for 91 of its 100 years. When Dr. Cosby took over, it was already an amazing church. He took it to new heights. In 1997, he made a very brave decision, maybe even a divine decision, to resurrect the proud tradition of education and purchase the former campus of Simmons College, a decision solely responsible for the rebirth, restoration, and revitalization of the premier Black college that is once again Simmons College of Kentucky. When Simmons regained accreditation, it was recognized as the Nation's 107th HBCU in 2015, the last HBCU in America. It was the most remarkable comeback in the history of higher education. Next year, the comeback continues as Simmons College once again becomes Simmons University. None of this success has been accidental or inevitable. It is because of a faithful congregation, a family dedicated to service, and a good and gracious God. What an amazing story. May God continue to bless this church, this college, and this community. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues here to join me in congratulating St. Stephen today and wishing them a second century that is even better than the first. ____________________