Story and Photos by Greg Miley Speakin’ Out News staff writer and photographer
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Rev. and Mrs. Dion and Candice Watkins and son Xavier
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Rev. Maurice Porter (left) and Rev. Dion Watkins
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Progressive Union volunteers pumping gas during the gas giveaway
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Progressive Union volunteers at the end of the gas giveaway
Progressive Union Missionary Baptist Church celebrated its 75th Church Anniversary on Sunday, June 5, 2022, at their 10:00 a.m. worship services. The church traces its history back to the Pond Beat community which was in the area now known as Redstone Arsenal and Marshall Space Flight Center (NASA). The church started in 1947 with Rev. Newman Townsend as Pastor. Pastors who served, in the order they served are Rev. Townsend, Rev. P. S. Swoope, Rev. Sam Whitman, Rev. Herbert Cartwright, Jr., Rev. Dr. Wayne P. Snodgrass, and the newly elected Pastor, Rev. Dion J. Watkins. Only one founding member of the church, Mrs. Georgia Lacy Lanier, is still living, she celebrated her 104th in April 2022. Rev. Maurice Porter, Pastor of the Impact Church, Hartford, Connecticut, was the anniversary speaker. His sermon title was “Faith It Until You Make It,” scriptural reference Deuteronomy 2:7. On Saturday, June 4, 2022, Progressive Union Church held its second Gas on God, a free gas giveaway. A total of $5,000 in gas was given away to the first 250 persons who were in line at the gas station at the Wal Mart Store at the corner of Jordan Lane and Bob Wallace Avenue starting at 9:00 a.m., and the gas station at the Kroger Grocery Store on Oakwood Avenue starting at 11:00 a.m. Officers from the Huntsville Police Department provided traffic control support. Progressive Union Church is located at 1919 Brandontown Road, Huntsville, Alabama, Rev. Dion J. Watkins is the Pastor.
