[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 24 (Wednesday, March 1, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E240]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE 200TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ELIZABETHTOWN FIRST BAPTIST 
                                 CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 1, 2006

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to take this opportunity to 
honor the First Baptist Church of Elizabethtown, Illinois, as it 
celebrates its bicentennial anniversary on July 9, 2006. Since its 
founding in 1806, the Elizabethtown Baptist Church has been preaching 
the gospel in the community, and has served as a symbol of faith and 
endurance.
  The church was founded by Stephen Stilley, William Jones, and others 
as God led them to begin a Baptist work in the Illinoisan territory. 
The first meeting of the church took place--as many of the New 
Testament churches did--in a small home. It was built in a safe place 
for the worshippers near Griffith Cave. This proved to be of the utmost 
importance when the building was burned by the Indians, at first. In 
1877, the church purchased land from the Drumms family and built the 
current church from bricks made at the local kiln. Today the 
congregation has made extensive repairs in an effort to preserve the 
old church for future generations.
  The challenge of the church is to keep the sacred word of God and 
faithfulness of the people. For 200 years, God has protected and 
preserved his people's church through the threat of fire, flood, and 
other natural and man-made disasters as living testimony of His Divine 
Grace. As the celebrations go on, all visitors are always welcome. My 
family and I have been graciously invited to attend the celebration of 
their bicentennial anniversary.
  My prayer is that God will continue to bless this historic and 
remarkable congregation and they would remain a positive influence for 
the future of the Elizabethtown community of Illinois.

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