[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 15 (Wednesday, February 16, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E153-E154]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE AFRICAN WESLEYAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH ON THEIR 234TH 
                        ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 16, 2000

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the African Wesleyan 
Methodist Episcopal Church (known as Bridge Street AWME Church) on 
their 234th anniversary. Mr. Speaker, this is indeed something 
tremendous that should be honored.
  This historic institution, now entering its third century of service 
to the church and community, has always focused on providing spiritual, 
social, educational, and recreational activities for the Bridge Street 
parishioner and for the community at large. This church, located in the 
heart of the Bedford Stuyvesant community, has a long proud history of 
overcoming adversity to continue to survive.
  The earliest records of the church date back to 1766 when a British 
captain named Thomas Webb began holding open air services in downtown 
Brooklyn. Captain Webb was a convert of John Wesley, the father of 
Methodism in America. In 1794 the congregation purchased the land on 
which they held these open air services from a wealthy Brooklyn 
landowner named Joshua Sands. Later a small church was built, and as 
was the custom in those days to name streets and buildings after 
wealthy landowners, the church was named The Sands Street Wesleyan 
Methodist Episcopal Church. The congregation consisted of whites, free 
blacks, and ex-slaves. The ability of blacks and whites to worship 
together in

[[Page E154]]

the beginning of the church's history foreshadow its unique ability to 
overcome any challenge it may face.
  By the end of the 19th century, the AWME church had survived almost 
two centuries of struggles, disappointments and oppression. From its 
origins in 1766, the AWME Church has been a standard bearer for the 
family of man, especially in the Brooklyn-Long Island area. From Sands 
Street, to High Street, to Bridge Street, and to Stuyvesant Avenue, the 
Church has overcome every major obstacle encountered on its Christian 
journey.
  From its pulpit, some of the greatest preachers and orators of the 
last two centuries have challenged many to higher heights and 
consistently championed the cause for all men to exist as children of 
God equal to one another. Throughout the years, the AWME church has 
made lasting and significant contributions, not only to education and 
religion, but to every other major profession which helps to shape the 
lives of so many.
  Mr. Speaker they are indeed a ``Great People, and a Great Church, 
Serving a Great God.''

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