[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 65 (Friday, April 7, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E834]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


               TRIBUTE TO WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

                                 ______


                       HON. GEORGE E. BROWN, JR.

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 6, 1995
  Mr. BROWN of California. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to 
the Westminster Presbyterian Church of Ontario, CA, which is 
celebrating its 100th anniversary on April 23.
  The Westminster Church has a dynamic history which I would like to 
share with my colleagues. The Westminster Church was organized in 1895 
when Rev. H.M. MacLeod and 58 members established a Presbyterian Church 
in Ontario. On August 4, 1895, services were held in the first unit of 
the new church building at Euclid and E Street in Ontario. This new 
building was formally dedicated on November 9, 1902.
  Due to the rapid growth of the church after World War II, the need 
for a modern and enlarged church building became apparent. Under the 
leadership of Rev. C. Eugene Barnard and with the approval of the 
congregation, construction of a new church building began. A ground 
breaking ceremony for the present sanctuary was held on June 15, 1958, 
with Rev. Raymond H. Gordon as interim pastor.
  The Westminster Presbyterian Church operates a day care center, which 
has been its principal mission since the center's inception on October 
6, 1969. The day care center building, known as the Christian education 
unit, was erected under the leadership of Rev. Don Hawthorne in April 
1967 and is also used for Christian education on Sunday. Founded and 
organized by Directors Helen Brewster and Evelyn Hoehn, the day care 
center cares for approximately 128 preschool children. Over the years, 
the directors and staffs of the center have met the needs of each child 
with a spirit of Christian love and genuine concern.
  In March 1975, David T. Anderson came from Paisley, Scotland, with 
his family to assume the pastorate of Westminster Presbyterian Church.
  At this time, I would like to pay special recognition to the church's 
current minister, Rev. David Mote, who has been providing spiritual 
guidance for members of the Westminster Church since June 1993, and to 
Joanne McAleer, who recently became the new director of ministries and 
volunteer activities. Their dedication to their calling is to be 
commended.
  This past year, the congregation participated in a miracle Sunday, 
collecting pledges of over $200,000 in 1 day, to refurbish the church 
facility in anticipation of its centennial celebration. In celebration 
of its anniversary, the church will be having a centennial high tea 
complete with period costumes and an old-fashioned song fest, tours, an 
art show, the opening of the church's 1958 time capsule, and 
refreshments.
  Westminster Presbyterian Church has served the community in Ontario 
for over 99 years. Over the years, former ministers, assistant 
ministers, and church members have made valued contributions to the 
church. Although I am not able to mention them all by name, I wish to 
pay tribute to all who have been involved in the church's ministry over 
the years.
  Mr. Speaker, it is a great honor to come before my colleagues today 
to recognize the dedication and care with which the Westminster 
Presbyterian Church has served Ontario and its surrounding communities. 
I ask my colleagues to take a moment and join me in congratulating the 
Westminster Presbyterian Church on the occasion of its 100th 
anniversary.


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