[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 92 (Thursday, June 20, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1121]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH

                                 ______


                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 19, 1996

  Mr. COSTELLO, Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Peace Lutheran 
Church in Steeleville, IL. August 9, 1996, marks the church's 100th 
anniversary.
  Their first church was built in 1896 by 27 charter members. Peace 
considered itself an independent Lutheran congregation affiliated with 
the Wartburg synod, which it officially joined in 1933. In 1950, the 
remaining services still conducted in German were discontinued in favor 
of services conducted in ``American.'' Throughout the years Peace has 
established a school for seventh and eighth graders, a Sunday school 
program, a missionary society, two children's choirs, a young women's 
missionary society, and a prayer group. In 1988, Peace Lutheran Church 
became part of the Central-Southern Illinois Synod of the Evangelical 
Lutheran Church in America.
  Peace Lutheran Church has contributed to the life of the Steeleville 
community for a century. Their faith and dedication to their community 
remains a fine example for the people of Illinois and the country as a 
whole.
  Mr. Speaker, on August 11, Bishop Zenker of the Central-Southern 
Illinois Synod will join Rev. James R. Lillie and the rest of the Peace 
Lutheran congregation for their 100th anniversary celebration. I ask my 
colleagues to join me in wishing them a wonderful celebration and hope 
that their next century can be as productive as the past century.

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