Floor SpeechCeremonial2026-05-12

CELEBRATING THE 208TH ANNIVERSARY OF MOUNT OLIVE BAPTIST CHURCH

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On 2026-05-12, Representative Eugene Simon Vindman (D-VA-7) delivered a floor speech titled "CELEBRATING THE 208TH ANNIVERSARY OF MOUNT OLIVE BAPTIST CHURCH" in the House.

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CELEBRATING THE 208TH ANNIVERSARY OF MOUNT OLIVE BAPTIST CHURCH

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 80 (Tuesday, May 12, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 80 (Tuesday, May 12, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E429-E430] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] CELEBRATING THE 208TH ANNIVERSARY OF MOUNT OLIVE BAPTIST CHURCH ______ HON. EUGENE SIMON VINDMAN of virginia in the house of representatives Tuesday, May 12, 2026 Mr. VINDMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 208th anniversary of the Mount Olive Baptist Church in Stafford County, Virginia. Mount Olive Baptist Church has a rich history that is marked by resilience and courage. On May 16, 1818, five Black landowners gathered near Roseville in Western Stafford County, Virginia to found the church. Their first service was held beneath a simple slab-wood shelter, where a congregation began to take shape under conditions that required far more than faith alone. In 1818 Virginia, it was illegal for Black people to assemble without a white person present. As a result, Reverend Crutcher, a white minister, was required to attend as a legal requirement. Yet it was the five Black landowners who made the true foundation possible, men who owned the land, chose to worship together, and accepted the risks of gathering in an unjust system. Although they were denied formal recognition, they were the driving force behind the church's formation and worked tirelessly to ensure its growth. Over the years, Mount Olive Baptist Church has grown and flourished, expanding its ministries and outreach to serve a growing congregation. Today, it offers Sunday school programs, men's and women's fellowship ministries, youth and adult choirs, and a wide range of services that serve the broader Stafford community. The congregation's unwavering commitment to faith laid the foundation for the community that still thrives today. For 208 years, Mount Olive Baptist Church has stood as a sanctuary for worship and spiritual nourishment. As we celebrate this milestone, let us honor the legacy of those five individuals who contributed to the church's mission over the [[Page E430]] years. Their dedication has helped build a thriving community that will continue to flourish for generations to come. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring and celebrating Mount Olive Baptist Church on its 208th anniversary. I am honored to represent the families and individuals who make up this caring and loving community, and I look forward to celebrating their continued success for years to come. ____________________

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CELEBRATING THE 208TH ANNIVERSARY OF MOUNT OLIVE BAPTIST CHURCH Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 80 (Tuesday, May 12, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 80 (Tuesday, May 12, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E429-E430] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] CELEBRATING THE 208TH ANNIVERSARY OF MOUNT OLIVE BAPTIST CHURCH ______ HON. EUGENE SIMON VINDMAN of virginia in the house of representatives Tuesday, May 12, 2026 Mr. VINDMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 208th anniversary of the Mount Olive Baptist Church in Stafford County, Virginia. Mount Olive Baptist Church has a rich history that is marked by resilience and courage. On May 16, 1818, five Black landowners gathered near Roseville in Western Stafford County, Virginia to found the church. Their first service was held beneath a simple slab-wood shelter, where a congregation began to take shape under conditions that required far more than faith alone. In 1818 Virginia, it was illegal for Black people to assemble without a white person present. As a result, Reverend Crutcher, a white minister, was required to attend as a legal requirement. Yet it was the five Black landowners who made the true foundation possible, men who owned the land, chose to worship together, and accepted the risks of gathering in an unjust system. Although they were denied formal recognition, they were the driving force behind the church's formation and worked tirelessly to ensure its growth. Over the years, Mount Olive Baptist Church has grown and flourished, expanding its ministries and outreach to serve a growing congregation. Today, it offers Sunday school programs, men's and women's fellowship ministries, youth and adult choirs, and a wide range of services that serve the broader Stafford community. The congregation's unwavering commitment to faith laid the foundation for the community that still thrives today. For 208 years, Mount Olive Baptist Church has stood as a sanctuary for worship and spiritual nourishment. As we celebrate this milestone, let us honor the legacy of those five individuals who contributed to the church's mission over the [[Page E430]] years. Their dedication has helped build a thriving community that will continue to flourish for generations to come. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring and celebrating Mount Olive Baptist Church on its 208th anniversary. I am honored to represent the families and individuals who make up this caring and loving community, and I look forward to celebrating their continued success for years to come. ____________________