[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 85 (Wednesday, June 16, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1293]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO JONAS BRONCK APARTMENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 16, 1999

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, it is with joy and pride that I rise to pay 
tribute to Jonas Bronck Apartments for Senior Citizens, which will 
celebrate its 25th Anniversary of services to seniors and the Bronx 
community on Wednesday, June 15, 1999.
  Mr. Speaker, the history of Jonas Bronck Apartments begins with the 
merger of one nearly-defunct Lutheran congregation and one small but 
vibrant Lutheran congregation in the Tremont section of the Bronx 32 
years ago. In June of 1967, Pr. Albert O. Wollert, the pastor of 
Trinity Lutheran Church on East 178th Street, was called to serve 
concurrently as pastor of St. Thomas English Lutheran Church on Topping 
Avenue. St. Thomas English Lutheran Church had had a short but fruitful 
life of 59 years, but due to radical demographic changes in the 
neighborhood after the Second World War it has dwindled to a remnant of 
old members.
  The young and visionary Pr. Wollert, then 39, saw an opportunity to 
bring life and service out of the death of a church. Within months Pr. 
Wollert managed to convince the ``old St. Thomas'' members to formally 
join with Trinity. He also managed to convince the members of Trinity 
to receive the small remnant of ``old Saint Thomas'' members into 
Trinity Church, and to name the merged congregation ``Saint Thomas 
Evangelical Lutheran Church of The Bronx.'' The entire operation was 
finalized on December 12, 1967, and on Christmas Eve the two 
congregations worshiped together for the first time. From this time 
forward the church on East 178th Street, the current location, would be 
known simply as ``St. Thomas Lutheran Church.''
  On June 3, 1968, the ``old Saint Thomas'' building, which is still 
standing at its original location, was sold to Bethany Church and 
Missionary Alliance. For over a year, the St. Thomas Congregation 
considered investing the proceeds in different types of projects.
  After many adjustments and readjustments, and some help from then-
Governor Nelson Rockefeller, the plans for a building to be called 
Jonas Bronck Apartments for Senior Citizens were approved, and a 
combination of state and federal funding was secured. Final approval 
was received on April 24, 1970, from the New York State Division of 
Housing and Community Renewal.
  Mr. Speaker, on May 5, 1974, Jonas Bronck Apartments for Senior 
Citizens was formally dedicated and opened its doors to the senior 
citizens of our Bronx community and the larger New York metropolitan 
area. Though Jonas Bronck Apartments was the brainchild of a former 
pastor and the parishioners of St. Thomas Lutheran Church of The Bronx, 
the 216 unit, 16 story facility for seniors is a success story of 
cooperation between the private and governmental sectors.
  I applaud the commitment and the efforts of everyone involved with 
Jonas Bronck Apartments for Senior Citizens, its board, staff, and 
supporters for the assistance they provide to the elderly.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Jonas 
Bronck Apartments for Senior Citizens and the individuals who have made 
25 years of service possible.

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