[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 118 (Wednesday, September 9, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1675]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN CELEBRATION OF THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH 
                        OF MIDDLETOWN, NEW YORK

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 9, 1998

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
call the attention of my colleagues to the 150th anniversary of the 
Grace Episcopal Church of Middletown, NY.
  For one hundred and fifty years the Wardens, Vestry and Parishioners 
of Grace Episcopal Church have served the community of Middletown, 
bringing neighbors, friends and the community as a whole together. The 
church has been instrumental in the development of Middletown, helping 
to educate and fill the spiritual needs of residents and families 
throughout the region.
  The Grace Episcopal Church is a truly remarkable organization, built 
in 1847 and consecrated in 1848 by Bishop William Heathcote DeLancey of 
Western New York. However, it was Elisha Wheeler, who came to 
Middletown as a result of the Erie Railroad, who was largely 
responsible for creating Grace Episcopal Church. He was a signer of the 
Act of Incorporation, the first Junior Warden, then Senior Warden for 
the rest of his life.
  In 1845, after much deliberation, land was purchased to erect a 
church on North Street, its current location. It is now the second 
oldest church building still in use in Middletown. The first church 
service was held on Christmas Eve, 1847.
  Grace Church strives to be involved in the life of the community and 
social outreach, as well as trying to increase and strengthen its 
inreach to the members of the parish. The diversity of the members of 
this parish is a source of pride to its members and is one of the 
reasons that people of varying backgrounds can feel welcome there.
  Beyond its normal parish duties, the church provides a soup kitchen, 
a RENT (Relief from Eviction for Needy Tenants) program, and A Place of 
Grace, Inc., which was formed to help those living with HIV/AIDS. These 
are only a few of the programs which has made the Grace Episcopal 
Church an active part of Middletown's community.
  Mr. Speaker, I join our community in extending my congratulations to 
the church councils, and its congregation for the 150th anniversary of 
their reputable and noteworthy church. I would also like to take this 
opportunity to invite my colleagues to join with me in recognizing the 
great contributions of the Grace Episcopal Church in Middletown, NY.

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