[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 115 (Tuesday, August 16, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 16, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
    STONINGTON BAPTIST CHURCH--200 YEARS OF MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN 
                              PENNSYLVANIA

  Mr. WOFFORD. Madam President, I rise today to recognize the 
Stonington Baptist Church as it celebrates 200 years of service and 
faith in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
  This faith community was established on June 21, 1794 by Rev. John 
Patton and originally called Shamokin Baptist Church. The inspired 
theme of the founders' was Matthew 7:24-25:

       Anyone who hears my words and puts them into practice is 
     like the wise man who built his house on rock. When the rainy 
     season set in, the torrents came and the winds blew and 
     buffeted his house. It did not collapse; it had been solidly 
     set on rock.

  In 1845 at a meeting held at the church the idea for establishing 
Bucknell University took shape. Having been president of Bryn Mawr 
College, I know well the tremendous impact Bucknell has had in 
Pennsylvania producing leaders in numerous fields.
  Soon the Stonington Church will be dedicating a new addition under 
the able leadership of its pastor, Rev. J. Douglass Hallman, Sr. As it 
celebrates its bicentennial, I wish all of the congregation the very 
best and commend the church for its pioneering role in the history of 
our Commonwealth. Stonington Church has indeed been solidly set on rock 
and will continue to make a difference through a commitment to faith, 
service, and values for generations to come.
  Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that an article from the 
Daily Item be included in the Record.
  There being no objection, the article was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                         [From the Daily Item]

               Church To Celebrate Its 200th Anniversary

       Stonington.--The Stonington Baptist Church, Hosta Road, 
     will celebrate the 200th anniversary of its founding during a 
     10 a.m. service on Sunday.
       Foster Furman of Northumberland, whose grandparents were 
     church leaders in the late 1800s, will make a presentation of 
     historic information. There will be music, and the Rev. J. 
     Douglas Hallman will be preaching from the founders' theme 
     verses, Matthew 7:24-25.
       The church was founded June 21, 1794, by the Rev. John 
     Patton who settled in Shamokin Township from Kent County, 
     Del. He called it the Shamokin Baptist Church.
       The first members were Edward Wilkinson, Benjamin and Mary 
     Vastine, Joseph and Ann Richardson and John and Abigail 
     Farnsworth. The congregation was affiliated with the 
     Philadelphia Baptist Association.
       In 1796, the first church building was erected along the 
     Shamokin Creek on the site now occupied by the Deibler 
     Station Bible Church, Paxinos RD1. The land was donated by 
     Edward Wilkinson. An offering of $62.02 was sent from the 
     Philadelphia Association to help pay for materials. The nails 
     were furnished by a local blacksmith.
       In 1820, the Shamokin Baptist Church, along with several 
     other newly founded Baptist congregations, formed the 
     Northumberland Baptist Association. In 1845, the 
     Northumberland Baptist Association's annual meeting was 
     convened in the Shamokin Baptist Church.
       During this meeting, a resolution was passed to ``establish 
     a Literary and Theological Institution in the State, soon 
     afterwards located at Lewisburg,'' presently known as 
     Bucknell University. The association also went on record as 
     opposing slavery.
       In 1865, the congregation voted to build a new church on 
     the ``Turnpike'' now known as Hosta Road in Shamokin 
     Township. It was built and dedicated in 1873 at the cost of 
     $3,000.
       In 1959, the name of the church was changed to Stonington 
     Baptist Church, and incorporated under this name in 1982.
       In 1983, the congregation dedicated a remodeled and 
     enlarged sanctuary and Sunday School rooms. In September 1994 
     the congregation plans to dedicate the newest addition, now 
     under construction, which will provide a fellowship hall, 
     classrooms, kitchen, restrooms, nursery, foyer and offices.
       Pastors of the church in recent years include the Rev. 
     Russell Fry, the Rev. Forest Gass, the Rev. Warren Moyer, the 
     Rev. Clyde Whary and the Rev. Clifford Bassett.

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