[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 97 (Thursday, June 27, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1204]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              100TH ANNIVERSARY OF EMMANUEL BAPTIST CHURCH

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                          HON. JOHN P. MURTHA

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 27, 1996

  Mr. MURTHA. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity before 
my fellow Members of the House of Representatives to congratulate the 
pastor and congregation of the Emmanuel Baptist Church as it celebrates 
its 100th anniversary on July 5 through July 7, 1996. This small but 
high-impact community institution deserves national recognition for its 
century of dedication to the simple but essential American values of 
faith, family and community.
  Throughout the years as Johnstown has endured hardship and tragedy of 
various types, from floods to the Great Depression, the Nation's wars, 
as well as more recent economic hard times and crippling unemployment, 
the Emmanuel Baptist Church has been a source of support and 
sustenance, spiritually and otherwise, to generations.
  Emmanuel Baptist was organized on July 15, 1896 in the Grand Army of 
the Republic Hall in downtown Johnstown, PA.
  For 10 years, the congregation met in the Hall until a new church was 
built on Poplar Street. In 1959, the church relocated to its present 
site at 425 Luther Road in Richland Township. The congregation has been 
served by one pastor, the Reverend Ray Streets, Sr., for the past 42 
years. His son, the Reverend Ray Streets, Jr., currently serves with 
him as associate pastor.
  The church teaches 19 Sunday School classes, of which 5 are for 
adults. It also provides other educational programs for children. One 
is for kids ages 3 through 12, and another, Impact Ministry, is geared 
toward junior- and senior-high students and encompasses such activities 
as drama, music and gymnastics. I congratulate church members Chris 
Taylor, Pam and Jeff Weaver, and Bill Kagey for their dedication to 
these programs and to the children of their community.
  Several members of the Emmanuel Baptist church also serve as full-
time missionaries. Yet another vital community service provided by the 
church is its Elijah's Pantry. Run by members Rita and John Marsden, it 
ministers to needy families.
  I am honored to know many of the members of this congregation, and to 
be able to congratulate Emmanuel Baptist Church on this day. May the 
church grow and prosper for another 100 years.

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