Title
To honor and congratulate Refuge Missionary Baptist Church on their Centennial Church Anniversary and years of service to the Columbus Community
Body
WHEREAS, Refuge Missionary Baptist Church was organized on April 14th, 1919 by R.F. Hairston, SR. Refuge is located in the King-Lincoln Bronzeville District, which is a historically African American neighborhood in Columbus, Ohio; and
WHEREAS, Refuge established a reputation of community service and elevated the King-Lincoln community with the numerous services that it provides - services that include but are not limited to a working food pantry, a fully operated and accredited child care center - R.F. Hairston Learning Academy, transportation services for its members and several new church ministries; and
WHEREAS, In March 1997, the Reverend Kaiser W. Jones, Jr. was called by God to pastor Refuge Missionary Baptist Church and the evidence of his calling has manifested in mighty ways. Under Pastor Jones’ leadership, the church’s lower auditorium was remolded, and the alley directly behind the church was purchased by the City of Columbus, where seven vacant houses were demolished for the building expansion; and
WHEREAS, On April 12th, 2019, Refuge will celebrate their 100th Anniversary at the Embassy Suites, here in Columbus. The Refuge legacy of leadership and service is a walking testimony, whose mission extends beyond the walls of their church; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS: That this Council does hereby congratulate Refuge Missionary Baptist Church on 100 years of spreading the Gospel throughout the City of Columbus.