[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 152 (Thursday, November 12, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2317-E2318]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  CELEBRATING 75 YEARS OF INSPIRATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES A. BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 12, 1998

  Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, one of the reasons that our nation was 
created was to celebrate the freedom of religion. And over the years, 
many Americans have devoutly professed their faiths and found strength 
within their churches. Next month, on November 15, Bay City First 
Church of the Nazarene is celebrating its 75th anniversary of inspiring 
its members to follow God's guiding light, and, most importantly, the 
success that the Church has had in achieving that goal.
  As Reverend Marc Meulman points out in his announcement of this 
special event, on November 15, 1923, a small group of Nazarenes joined 
together to officially organize the

[[Page E2318]]

First Church of the Nazarene of Bay City. The church was organized by 
Reverend C. Preston Roberts, the District Superintendent, at the home 
of Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Freeman. Reverend Charles Strait, who had come to 
Bay City in the summer of 1923, was named pastor. Ms. Jessie Bright was 
elected Secretary, Oscar Freeman was elected Treasurer. The Board of 
Trustees included John Copeland, Don Dickinson, and William Hess.
  The present building was begun in May, 1939, and completed the 
following November. Merrit & Cole of Detroit were the architects for 
this 72 by 36 feet building, which had a seating capacity of 375. It 
had a front and rear hall, balcony, annex, main auditorium, chancel, 
choir loft and pastor's study. Room was made in the basement for Junior 
and Intermediate classes, where young people would be properly 
instructed of the principles of the Church, and its goal of creating 
significant meaning in the spirit of Christ in each person's life. The 
building was appropriately described at its dedication as ``...simple, 
harmonious, and consistent with the Gospel of Christ, and is intended 
to promote a spirit of reverence and worship.''
  Since its founding and the dedication the present building, thousands 
of people have felt the strength of Bay City First Church of the 
Nazarene as the lever that has helped move them through life. From the 
days as children learning God's life lessons, to the responsible days 
of adulthood when the mission changes from one of learning to one of 
teaching, to the latter days of life when the Church is a place of 
solitude for reflections on life's achievements, parishioner after 
parishioner has received an invaluable benefit from their membership.
  Mr. Speaker, so often we ask about the morals of America, the values 
of the American family, and the vision of greatness that we want for 
our nation. For the past seventy five years Bay City First Church of 
the Nazarene has provided all of these elements and so much more. I ask 
you and all of our colleagues to join me in congratulating Reverend 
Meulman and all of the members of the Church on this momentous 
anniversary, and in wishing them all many more years to come.

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