[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 51 (Thursday, April 30, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H2612]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING FIRST UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF COLLINSVILLE, ILLINOIS, 
                         ON ITS 175TH BIRTHDAY

  (Mr. SHIMKUS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an event that 
will occur in my hometown of Collinsville, Illinois. On May 3 of this 
year, the First United Presbyterian Church of Collinsville will 
celebrate its 175th birthday. It is the oldest church in continuous 
existence in Madison County. Informal worship services began in 1818, 
the year Illinois became the 21st State.
  To honor this celebration, the church is having at least one special 
program a month from February through July. Each month a different 
group within the church will lead services. The first program in 
February was a reenactment of a Society Meeting in the style which was 
held in the 1800s. Many members of the congregation dressed for the 
occasion in period pieces, including the pastor and members of the 
choir.
  Besides a special service on May 3, the actual date of the 
organization of the congregation, there will be programs to honor the 
church-related Glenwood Cemetery, established in 1822, on May 16 and 
17. These celebrations are geared so that members of the congregation 
will have the opportunity to share with the community and rejoice in 
the blessings that God has given them.

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