[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 62 (Wednesday, May 18, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 18, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
     CELEBRATING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF BETHLEHEM LUTHERAN CHURCH

                                 ______


                         HON. WILLIAM J. COYNE

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 17, 1994

  Mr. COYNE. Mr. Speaker, the Bethlehem Lutheran Church of the city of 
Pittsburgh's Allentown neighborhood is celebrating its 100th 
anniversary this year. This centennial will be marked with 
commemorative events throughout 1994, and I am pleased to take this 
opportunity today to call attention to this remarkable organization.
  Although the actual organization of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church 
took place on January 31, 1994, the beginnings of the congregation date 
back to 1887 when Pastor Adolf Ebert of Mount Zion Lutheran Church 
conducted services on Warrington Avenue in Allentown. Over the next 
several years, attempts were made to organize the congregation but 
various problems delayed the incorporation until 1894. On January 31, 
1894, a meeting was held in the home of Robert Lindemann and a 
resolution to organize was signed by 17 heads of families. The new 
congregation took the name of the German Evangelical Lutheran Bethlehem 
Church and listed 40 baptized members at the time of its inception. The 
Reverend Franklin Beiswenger served as the first pastor, a position he 
would hold until his death in 1930.
  Since the days of Pastor Beiswenger, six other pastors have served 
Bethlehem Lutheran Church: The Reverend Fred O. Schuh, 1931-46; the 
Reverend Dr. O.H. Boening, 1947-51; the Reverend Herbert C. Roth, 1952-
69; the Reverend George Lutz, 1971-77; the Reverend Lyall J. Lorez, 
1977-88; and the current pastor, the Reverend Jonathan W. Linman, who 
has served since 1989.
  For the past 100 years, Bethlehem Lutheran Church has been a stable 
force in Pittsburgh's Allentown neighborhood, ministering first to the 
needs of immigrants from Germany and now to a more diverse population. 
Its commitment to embracing the residents of its community with service 
and opportunities for worship, education, and fellowship has remained 
unchanged during these 100 years, despite the fact that the intervening 
years have changed the community dramatically.
  It is fitting that the House of Representatives should recognize the 
contributions to the quality of life in American communities made by 
institutions like the Bethlehem Lutheran Church. I ask the Members of 
the House gathered in session today to join me in extending our best 
wishes to the Bethlehem Lutheran Church for many more years of 
successful service to the members of its congregation.

                          ____________________