[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 78 (Tuesday, June 16, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1135]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          IN HONOR OF THE HISTORICAL EXHIBIT OF OLD YORKVILLE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 16, 1998

  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay a 
respectful tribute to Zion-St. Mark's Lutheran Church, the last German-
speaking church in the Yorkville area in my district.
  The church has organized an historical exhibit of old Yorkville to 
commemorate the history of the area which used to be known as ``German 
Town.'' It was formed as a middle and eastern European melting pot. As 
more and more high-rises and other large buildings have been built in 
recent decades, the character of the area has changed and some of the 
old-world charm has been lost.
  Also to be prominently featured at this exhibit is a commemoration of 
the Slocum Disaster, the most lethal fire in American history and one 
of the world's greatest maritime tragedies. On June 15, 1904, the 
parishioners of St. Mark's church on 6th Street in Manhattan held their 
annual picnic. Since the festivities included a boat ride on the 
General Slocum, 1,446 members of the congregation boarded for a trip to 
Locust Grove on Long Island. Tragically, the boat caught fire. 
According to reports, the loss of life was disproportionately high 
because the boat's life vests and life boats were old or useless and 
there had been no fire-drills. 1,021 people died.
  Because this disaster took such a heavy toll, the Lower East Side's 
German community was suddenly greatly reduced in number. Many of those 
remaining were too saddened to stay, and decided to move uptown, to 
Yorkville. The members of the St. Mark's congregation eventually merged 
with the Zion Church on East 8th Street. The church is now known as 
Zion-St. Mark's Lutheran Church.
  Many accounts have been written of the terrible Slocum Disaster. This 
exhibit will allow people to remember the many fine contributions of 
the German-American community before and after this horrible event 
wiped out so much of their population. It will commemorate the victims, 
honor the survivors, and highlight some of the history of Germans in 
New York City. Finally, the exhibit will recall the days of old 
Yorkville, from the 18th Century through the 20th. This area was once a 
landmark section of New York and has quite a story to tell.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues rise with me in this tribute to 
the congregation of Zion-St. Mark's Lutheran Church, to the Ladies Aid 
Society, and to Kathryn A. Jolowicz.

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