[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 80 (Thursday, June 18, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S6633]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING CROSS STREET A.M.E. ZION CHURCH ON ITS 175TH ANNIVERSARY

 Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Cross 
Street African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church on the occasion of its 
175th anniversary. This church, located in Middletown, Connecticut, has 
been a beacon of spiritual guidance in the community for many 
generations. In fact, Cross Street is the second oldest A.M.E. Zion 
Church in Connecticut and the seventh oldest in the world.
  The church's tradition of moral leadership and service to its 
community dates back to its earliest years. The Reverend Jehiel Beamon, 
the son of a former slave from Colchester, Connecticut, was the first 
pastor at the church. Not only was he a leader within the church, but 
he was also an active abolitionist who helped found the Middletown 
Anti-Slavery Society. He was also president of the Connecticut State 
Convention of Colored Men, which worked to secure voting rights for 
African-Americans. Due to his involvement and activities in the 
community, this church was called ``The Freedom Church'' by many 
people.
  Since that time, the church has been rebuilt and it has also moved. 
But while it has undergone physical changes, there has never been any 
wavering in the importance that this church holds for its congregation 
and surrounding community.
  In the church's written history, it is said that ``the sole purpose 
for the church's formation was to secure a place for people of color to 
worship freely.'' But Cross Street A.M.E. Zion Church has become far 
more than simply a place of worship.
  The members of Cross Street A.M.E. Zion have carried their message of 
hope beyond the church's walls and into the neighboring community. They 
are helping people in and around Middletown to deal with the difficult 
social problems of the modern day. They have initiated various projects 
to deal with issues ranging from homelessness to HIV. The people of 
Cross Street A.M.E. Zion Church are acting on their faith and they are 
reaching out to those in need to make their community a better place to 
live.
  This past April, I had the opportunity to attend Cross Street A.M.E. 
Zion Church for its Palm Sunday services. I was struck by the deep 
sense of faith and hope among the congregation, and I was pleased to 
share in their worship on that day. I offer my heartfelt 
congratulations to the Cross Street A.M.E. Zion Church on its 175th 
anniversary. Theirs has been a very rich history, and I hope that the 
church will continue to play a positive role in the lives of its 
congregation and surrounding community for many years to come.

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