[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 7, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E56]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 MARKING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE FAITH COMMUNITY 
                       CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARGE ROUKEMA

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 7, 1997

  Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, in the days immediately following the 
adjournment of the 104th Congress, the members of the Faith Community 
Christian Church of Wyckoff, NJ celebrated the One-Hundredth 
Anniversary of the founding of their church. I ask my Colleagues to 
join me in extending their heartfelt congratulations and best wishes.
  Formally established on October 1, 1896 in the Riverside neighborhood 
of Paterson, the congregation was originally known as the Fourth 
Christian Reformed Church. For nearly eight decades, the church members 
worshipped in Paterson. On April 5, 1975, the church structure was 
destroyed by a fire that claimed the life of a Paterson firefighter.
  Clearly, a church such as this does not survive on structure alone. 
The community relocated to its current site in Wyckoff and assumed the 
name Faith Community Christian Reformed Church in September 1978.
  Mr. Speaker, this church has remained steadfast to its Christian 
mission throughout its distinguished history. Perseverance and courage 
have been the watchwords of the congregation since its founding, but 
especially in the trying days following the 1975 tragedy.
  Faith Community Christian Reformed Church has been a pillar of the 
northwest Bergen County community and is widely respected. The ministry 
that the church provides to the community is clear evidence of the 
``faith of our fathers living still.'' Indeed, the church is following 
the traditions of the Christian faith of the founding fathers of this 
Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, throughout this nation's history, faithful communities 
such as this church have formed the backbone of our society. At a time 
when many Americans are deeply concerned about the cultural and moral 
erosion of civil society, this church provides a center of worship and 
a solid foundation of faith for our families, our children and our 
communities. Just as this nation is a better place because of these 
churches, the dedicated service of the Faith Community Christian 
Reformed Church has enriched quality of life in Bergen and Passaic 
counties. Its contributions are adding to the rich tapestry of American 
life in northern New Jersey every day and deserve to be recognized as a 
part of the permanent historical record of our Nation through the 
Congressional Record.
  My Colleagues, I invite you to join me in honoring the members of the 
Faith Community Christian Reformed Church on one hundred years of 
faithful service and extending best wishes for another century of 
service.

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