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Congressional Daily Record
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September 16, 2026
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Download official Extensions PDFReturn to issue contextHON. CLEO FIELDS
of louisiana
in the house of representatives
Mr. FIELDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor St. Mary Baptist Church, a fixture in Baton Rouge since 1929 and a congregation whose nearly century-long history has been defined not simply by growth, but by a steadfast commitment to showing up for Baton Rouge's families and neighborhoods whenever practical help was needed.
St. Mary Baptist Church began humbly, with a small group of believers worshiping together in a wood-framed cottage, and built its first sanctuary the very next year. From that modest beginning, the congregation grew into a major neighborhood institution, expanding its campus over the decades to meet the needs of an ever-growing congregation and community. Yet what has always distinguished St. Mary Baptist Church is not merely its physical growth, but the depth of its commitment to living out its faith through service. Today, that legacy continues under the leadership of its current pastor, Reverend Conway Knighton, who carries forward the congregation's long tradition of faith and service to the Baton Rouge community.
For nearly 100 years, St. Mary Baptist Church has served as far more than a place of Sunday worship. It has been, and continues to be, an anchor of the Baton Rouge faith community, a place where generations of families have come to deepen their walk with God, to find comfort in times of hardship, and to be reminded that faith is best expressed through action. Among the church's most lasting contributions are its prison ministry, which carries the message of hope and redemption to those who are incarcerated, and its nursing-home outreach, which ensures that Baton Rouge's elderly residents are not forgotten and continue to feel the love and presence of their faith community even when they can no longer attend service themselves. In 2004, the church established its free Clothes Closet, providing clothing and shoes to local residents in need, a ministry that reflects St. Mary's understanding that caring for the body is inseparable from caring for the soul.
St. Mary Baptist Church has also taken an active role in addressing the broader challenges facing Baton Rouge, including through its partnership with Together Baton Rouge, standing alongside other congregations and community organizations to advocate for the wellbeing of the city's families and neighborhoods. In doing so, St. Mary has exemplified the vital role that houses of worship play within the broader faith community: not only nurturing the spiritual lives of their own members, but extending that faith outward, becoming trusted partners in the work of building a stronger, more compassionate community for all of Baton Rouge.
and its continued partnership in community advocacy, St. Mary Baptist Church has shown, generation after generation, that faith and service are inseparable. It stands today as a testament to what a congregation rooted in scripture and driven by compassion can mean to a city, and it continues to be a beacon of hope, comfort, and practical support for all who call Baton Rouge home.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring St. Mary Baptist Church, Reverend Conway Knighton, and the congregation for nearly a century of unwavering faith and devoted service to the Baton Rouge community. May St. Mary Baptist Church continue to be a light of hope and a hand of help for many generations to come.