[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 124 (Wednesday, September 11, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1568]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO THE REMSENBURG COMMUNITY CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL P. FORBES

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 11, 1996

  Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
Remsenburg Community Church, and to celebrate the 100th anniversary of 
this glorious house of worship, serving this pastoral south shore Long 
Island, NY, hamlet.
  On September 15, 1896, the Remsenburg Community Church building was 
dedicated by the congregation. For the ensuing 100 years, the ``Red 
Brick Church'' has served the spiritual needs of its congregants, 
strengthening the entire community through countless acts of charity 
and fellowship.
  Both the church and the hamlet owe their appellation to Dr. Charles 
Remsen, the man who generously provided the funds to build this 
community its own house of worship. To show Dr. Remsen their 
appreciation, his neighbors moved to rename this hamlet in the 
southeastern corner of Southampton Town. On July 27, 1895, this former 
section of Speonk was formally founded as Remsenburg.
  Though settlers pre-date the Revolutionary War, the organized 
founding of the Presbyterian Church dates back to July 3, 1853. Before 
Dr. Remsen's beneficent gesture, congregants gathered in schools and 
homes to worship, while ministers from neighboring towns were hired to 
preach God's word. The first frame church was dedicated in 1854 on 
Elijah Phillips's land, and the charter members include some of Suffolk 
County's prominent founding families: Selah Raynor, Merinda Halsey, 
Mrs. Nancy Tuthill, and Sophia Rogers.
  The cornerstone of the current church building was laid on April 18, 
1896, by the pastor, Rev. Minot Morgan, on land donated by John and 
Elizabeth Dayton. The Suffolk County News reported that a ``handsome 
new brick church in Remsenburg, presented to the Presbyterian Society 
of that village by Dr. Charles Remsen, was dedicated on September 15.''
  Today, the community church has an active membership of 36, with 
another 30 friends who attend services regularly; the Sunday school 
instructs about 15 students. Operated by the board of trustees, the 
church benefits from the enthusiasm and hard work of its own Ladies Aid 
Society and the Chapelettes.
  On Sunday, September 15, at 10 a.m., Remsenburg Community Church 
members will hold a special service of thanksgiving. Today, more than 
ever, our Nation relies on the spiritual sustenance and communal 
support that our churches and temples provide. That is why I ask my 
colleagues to join me in saluting the Remsenburg Community Church. This 
bastion of community faith and fellowship has strengthened the fibers 
that bind this community and have made Eastern Long Island a better 
place to live.

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