[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 106 (Thursday, July 24, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1510]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   LINLITHGO REFORMED CHURCH OF LIVINGSTON, NY, CELEBRATES ITS 275TH 
                              ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD B.H. SOLOMON

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 24, 1997

  Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, when French traveler Alexis de Tocqueville 
visited these shores in 1830 he noted something very special about the 
then-young United States. He noticed the importance of religion to 
Americans.
  And he was right, Mr. Speaker. This is a religious Nation. And from 
the beginning, churches were among the first structures built, and they 
remain the center of American community life. I'd like to speak about a 
very special one today.
  The Linlithgo Reformed Church of Livingston, NY, is celebrating its 
275th anniversary this year, making it older than the Nation itself.
  Mr. Speaker, this church can trace its existence to a July 4, 1722, 
organizational meeting. Robert Livingston, Jacob Vosburgh, and Cornelis 
Martensen were appointed elders, and Tobias Ten Broeck, Robert Van 
Deusen, and Willem Hallenbeck were named deacons.
  Records are unclear, but we think the church building was completed 
on or about September 22, 1722. One interesting historical fact emerges 
from the records. The first pastor to be paid in money instead of corn 
or wheat was Jeremiah Romeyn in 1788.
  Three years later, members of the consistory of the church voted to 
make it a corporate body. Finally, in 1813, the consistory voted to 
plan a new church, which was dedicated in 1815. The new church, still 
in operation today, was completed in 1855.
  A reported low state of piety resulted in a January 3, 1840, day of 
fasting and prayer.
  The 20th century history of the church resembled that of many others 
during this time. By 1921, the practice of renting pews was 
discontinued. During the World War II, many of the men of the 
congregation answered the call to service, as did many of the women on 
the home front.
  Since then, the church has continued to grow and prosper, serving the 
spiritual and even the social needs of its people.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and other Members to join me in expressing our 
best wishes to a very special institution, the Linlithgo Reformed 
Church of Livingston, NY, as it celebrates its 275th year of service to 
the community.

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