[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 140 (Friday, September 30, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 30, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
ST. PAUL'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH CELEBRATES 100 YEARS IN SARATOGA 
                                SPRINGS

                                 ______


                        HON. GERALD B.H. SOLOMON

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 30, 1994

  Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, it was first known as the German 
Evangelical Church, and it met in various locations until buying its 
first house of worship in 1900.
  And now, Mr. Speaker, Saint Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church of 
Saratoga Springs, NY, is getting ready to celebrate 100 years of 
serving the spiritual needs of its members.
  Like many of the fine, old churches in our 22d Congressional 
District, Saint Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church has been not only an 
important center of worship, but a virtual museum of local history.
  It moved from its first building to its present location at 149 Lake 
Avenue in 1960. Today, the church has more than 650 baptized members.
  Mr. Speaker, in the last century a Frenchman by the name of Alexis de 
Toqueville visited the young United States. One of the things that 
stood out among his impressions was the religious fervor of Americans. 
He remarked that America would be great as long as she was good, and 
America's natural goodness he attributed to the numerous churches that 
formed the core of the Nation's community life.
  I mention this story, Mr. Speaker, because Saint Paul's Evangelical 
Lutheran church has been exactly the kind of church Mr. de Toqueville 
had in mind.
  From the beginning, the church has been a center of faith and social 
life for generations of area Evangelical Lutherans, and an enduring 
monument to the legacy of religious freedom our forefathers fought and 
died to preserve.
  Mr. Speaker, America is still great because she is still good, and 
she is good because in communities across this Nation, churches like 
St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church play such important roles.
  Mr. Speaker, on October 14, this venerable church will celebrate it's 
100th anniversary. I ask all members to join me in congratulating Saint 
Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church and in recognizing its years of 
service.

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