[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 135 (Thursday, October 2, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1916-E1917]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING CALVARY COMMUNITY CHURCH FOR ITS 50 YEARS OF SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ESTEBAN EDWARD TORRES

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 2, 1997

  Mr. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join with me today in 
honoring the Calvary Community Church on its 50th year of unselfish 
dedication to the community.
  For 50 years, Calvary Community Church has provided a comfortable 
space for worship and social gathering for residents of Norwalk, 
Downey, Whittier, and other neighboring cities. Founded in October 
1946, the church was officially established in April 1947, when Rev. 
Dale E. Hundsdoerfer was named its first pastor.
  In 1949, Calvary Community Church purchased property on the corner of 
Pioneer and Mapledale, in the city of Downey; holding services in a 
tent while constructing its permanent building. On April 4, 1950, the 
church held its first service in its new chapel. A larger sanctuary was 
built in 1956 to facilitate the growing congregation.
  Calvary Community Church has emerged as a revolutionary church 
providing service for the hearing impaired, initiating food and 
clothing drives for the needy, holding weekly services at the 
California Youth Authority facilities in Norwalk, bringing SHARE, a 
low-cost food program, to Los Angeles County, and for the past 10 years 
cosponsoring summer camps for abused and neglected children. In 
addition, the church currently provides support for 15 missionaries and 
provides weekly programs for boys (Royal Rangers), girls 
(Missionettes), teenagers, and adults of all backgrounds.
  I would also like to recognize and thank the pastors for their 
selfless devotion to Calvary Community Church: Rev. Dale E. 
Hundsdoerfer 1947-62, Rev. A.J. Sovern 1963-77, Rev. Dennis Millat 
1977-87, and

[[Page E1917]]

Rev. Sam Miller 1987-91, Rev. Jim Knutsen 1991-95, Rev. Gary Jeffery 
1995-96, and Rev. Siegfried Manntai 1996-present.
  Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask my colleagues to join me in saluting, 
thanking, and honoring the pastors and congregation of Calvary 
Community Church for its 50 years of dedication and service to the 
community.

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