[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 165 (Friday, November 19, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2519]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         CENTENNIAL TRIBUTE TO MEMORIAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 18, 1999

  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an historic 
occasion. Memorial United Church of Christ in East Toledo celebrates 
its 100th anniversary this month.
  In early 1899, Mr. J. Herman Overbeck was inspired to form a mission 
church of the First Reformed Church. On May 7, 1899, shortly after Mr. 
Overbeck's death, Reform Church leaders including Reverend Henry 
Gersmann, Eberhard Gerkens, John Olrich, Frederick Dahn, August 
Overbeck, Karl Benner, and Wilhelm Dahlmeyer came together as a 
committee to bring Mr. Overbeck's dream to fruition. The fully paid 
building was formally dedicated on November 12, 1899, the church's 
official anniversary date. Services were conducted and a church school 
was organized. On Palm Sunday, April 18, 1900, the German Evangelical 
Reformed Memorial Church was formally organized with 37 original 
members. The membership flourished with the neighborhood, and in 1920 
the congregation decided to build a new church. The new building was 
dedicated on February 26, 1922. In 1943, Memorial Church became 
independent, no longer a mission church. The church grew large in both 
membership and property. Both the neighborhood and the church began to 
change in the 1970's, and Memorial grew with these changes as well. 
Women were allowed a more active role in the church beginning in the 
1970's and 1980's, serving as deacons and church elders. The 1990's 
have brought Reverend Jena Garrison as Pastor, and a renewed spirit 
among members. Generations of families now attend the church together, 
as it has moved from a neighborhood church to a family church.
  Throughout its century of worship, the congregants of Memorial United 
Church of Christ have lived the Ecclesiastes verse ``To everything 
there is a season, and a time to every purpose under Heaven . . .'' As 
the seasons changed into decades and then a century, the congregation 
has grown, flourished, and redirected itself. It was born at the 
twilight of the last century, yet is poised on the dawn of the new 
century to continue to meet the spiritual needs of the faithful. Its 
future is challenged by its promise as the congregation of Memorial 
United Church of Christ recalls their journey: the road, the people, 
the vision and the faith which brought them to this milestone.

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