[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 138 (Monday, September 30, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1825]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 A TRIBUTE TO THE COMMUNITY OF WENDELIN

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                           HON. GLENN POSHARD

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Saturday, September 28, 1996

  Mr. POSHARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the community of 
Wendelin, IL. This beautific village, nestled in a small corner of 
Illinois, has a rich, ethnic tradition. The members of this community 
joined together to write the Holy Cross Book which traces their roots 
from Schuttertal, Germany. It was through a church, St. John's Church, 
that the people from this small town teamed up and dedicated many 
countless years to complete this wonderful work.
  Holy Cross Book describes the struggle of settling into a town in the 
1850's. A momentous change took place in Wendelin, IL., as the United 
States railroad was introduced. The railroad brought many new families 
to the area Irish, Germans, and other European Catholics. Each emigrant 
sought to start a new life and thus, a community was born. These 
pioneers established a church, school and the various businesses 
necessary to excel in their modern world. Some of the families that 
helped settle this land were the Fehrenbacher, Kern, Maier, Obert, 
Schafer, Schiele, Volk and Weber. As Wendelin grew into the prospering 
community it is today, these families decided to build a religious 
community that would provide a church, a wholesome upbringing, and 
stewardship. On January 22, 1860, the people joined together and built 
their first church, St. Ignatius Church, which later changed its name 
to St. John's Church.
  In the 1860's more German settlers arrived in the area settling 
further to the northwest. The existence of the church was too small for 
such a growing population. St. John's decided to divide its parish, 
some wanting to rebuild \1/2\ mile east of its property, while others 
wanted to transfer the site of the parish to St. Wendel, as it was then 
known. A decision was made in 1868 to build a new church, Holy Cross 
Church, the namesake for their work.
  I congratulate the entire Wendelin community and give them my 
heartfelt congratulations for the success of the completion of their 
book. It is my pleasure to honor a rich tradition.

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