[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 118 (Thursday, September 28, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9460-S9461]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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     300TH ANNIVERSARY OF ST. DAVID'S CHURCH AND ST. PETER'S CHURCH

 Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 
300th anniversary of St. David's Church in Berwyn, Pennsylvania and St. 
Peter's Church in the Great Valley, near Paoli, Pennsylvania. The two 
parishes were established in 1700 as mission churches of the historic 
Christ Church, Philadelphia to serve those that settled Chester County.
  Philadelphia is where so many of our Founders came together to 
deliberate, sign the Declaration of Independence and fight in battles 
during the Revolutionary War. Both churches, now nationally registered 
landmarks, were involved in the war. St. David's parish sent forth 
General Anthony Wayne to fight with General Washington, and St. Peter's 
served as a field hospital for soldiers that were wounded.
  For 300 years--longer than we have been a nation--these two churches 
have been vital elements of the communities in which they reside and 
serve. Governor Tom Ridge recently selected St. Peter's Church, a 
registered historical landmark, as the site for the signing of 
Pennsylvania's ``Growing Greener'' bill.
  On October 21, 2000 these two churches will hold a combined 
anniversary celebration at St. Peter's Church in the Great Valley. The 
celebration will feature historic symposia, period food and

[[Page S9461]]

costume, and the burial of a time capsule. This event will enable 
people to gain insight into the lives of our historic forebears. I 
commend area leaders for initiating such a celebration and look forward 
to the upcoming festivities.
  I am therefore pleased to celebrate the 300th anniversary of St. 
David's Church and St. Peter's Church. To honor this event, I put 
forward the following proclamation:

       Whereas, 300 years ago, St. David's Church and St. Peter's 
     Church in the Great Valley were founded as missions of the 
     historic Christ Church, Philadelphia;
       Whereas, the congregations of St. David's Church and St. 
     Peter's Church in the Great Valley played a vital role in the 
     early growth of historic Chester County, Pennsylvania;
       Whereas, St. David's Church was the home parish and 
     eventual burial site for General Anthony Wayne, a hero of the 
     American Revolution;
       Whereas, St. David's Church and its graveyard are 
     registered as a National Historic Landmark;
       Whereas, St. Peter's Church in the Great Valley is a 
     registered National Historic Landmark which served recently 
     as the site selected by the Governor of Pennsylvania for the 
     signing of the ``Growing Greener'' land conservation bill;
       Whereas, St. David's Church and St. Peter's Church in the 
     Great Valley have sent their parishioners out into the larger 
     community as public servants throughout their history;
       Whereas, St. David's Church and St. Peter's Church in the 
     Great Valley continue to serve their communities, their State 
     and the Nation as strong civic partners in numerous programs 
     to provide food, shelter, clothing, education, health care, 
     and other forms of nurture to those in need;
       Now therefore be it resolved by the United States Senate 
     That St. David's Church and St. Peter's Church in the Great 
     Valley be officially recognized and commended on the occasion 
     of their 300th anniversary of worship, September 2, 
     2000.

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