Rev. Matthew Southall Brown, Sr. gives the opening prayer in the U.S. House of Representatives

On November 18, 2009, Congressman Barrow welcomed Rev. Matthew Southall Brown, Sr., pastor emeritus of St. John Baptist Church in Savannah, to the U.S. Capitol to serve as guest chaplain in the U.S. House of Representatives. Every member of Congress is allowed to recommend one religious leader every Congress to serve as the guest chaplain. The opening prayer in the House of Representatives is a tradition dating back to 1789.

Born and raised in Savannah, Rev. Matthew Southall Brown, Sr., served his country with valor in World War II, and, at a time when the armed forces were segregated, was one of the 2,221 black soldiers who volunteered for infantry duty during the Battle of the Bulge. After being honorably discharged, Rev. Brown returned to his native Savannah to attend college under the G.I Bill of Rights. He later took over the ministry at Savannahs historic St. John Baptist Church, the Mighty Fortress. Over the next 35 years, Rev. Brown led his congregation, becoming not only a strong voice in the pulpit, but a major leader in the fight for equality during the Civil Rights Movement in Savannah. Currently, he serves as a member of the Savannah Board of Ethics, having been nominated by Mayor Otis Johnson and the Savannah City Council.

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