[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 139 (Thursday, September 29, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 29, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
      OBSERVANCE OF 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF ST. JAMES CATHOLIC CHURCH

                                 ______


                          HON. SANDER M. LEVIN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 28, 1994

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I wish to extend my congratulations to St. 
James Catholic Church in Ferndale, MI, upon their 75th anniversary. 
This weekend the church not only celebrates a birthday but also a 
remarkable record of community involvement.
  At St. James Catholic Church the history is rich and the commitment 
is great. As congregants walk down memory lane this weekend, they will 
see how far the church has come since it was started by 50 families on 
October 1, 1919. Today the church has grown to over 1,000 people and 
touches the lives of countless others.
  Families used to gather at the chicken coop at the Arthur Porter 
farm, which was located across Woodward Avenue from the church. The 
chicken coop served as home until 1920, when the church moved to a 
classroom at the old Central School to celebrate with Father James E. 
O'Brien.
  In 1920, a chapel was built which later became the basement of St. 
James School. The school was completed in 1925, and until 1949 masses 
were held there. The cornerstone for the existing church was laid in 
1949, and the first mass held in the church was Easter Sunday, April 
1950.
  Throughout the years, St. James Catholic Church has held war bond 
drives, directed cancer projects, collected money for victims of the 
1967 Detroit riots, and most recently the church has sponsored a 
Habitat for Humanity house. I was privileged to attend the 
groundbreaking for this house and was once again reminded of the 
exceptional dedication which is abundant at St. James.
  I applaud the many efforts of the St. James community on this 
significant anniversary and extend my warmest wishes to Father Robert 
Wurm and Dr. Robert Locey as they kick off this special celebration.

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