[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 78 (Friday, June 16, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1190-E1191]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                PAYING TRIBUTE TO GRACE COMMUNITY CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JON C. PORTER

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 16, 2006

  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Grace Community Church 
in Boulder City, Nevada, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this 
year.
  The Grace Community Church began as an inter-denominational 
Protestant religious church in April of 1932, and the first service was 
held on January 29, 1933. The church was officially dedicated on 
February 22, 1933, ``to the glory of God and the Blessing of Man.'' The 
church quickly became a center for various community groups, and 
assumed a key role in the development of the community.
  The Reverend Thomas Stevenson of California, who gave his first 
sermon in the unfinished basement of the church, was chosen as the 
church's first minister, and led the church's congregation until 1937. 
The Reverend Harold Eymann replaced Reverend Stevenson, and the formal 
by-laws for the congregation were adopted and the church was 
incorporated under state law during Reverend Eymann's ministry. 
Reverend Eymann left Grace Community Church in 1942, feeling he should 
serve as a military chaplain during World War II. Reverend Winston 
Trever from Azusa, California served from 1942-1949. The Reverend Olaf 
Stoeve ministered at Grace from 1949-1953. The Presbyterian Reverend 
Earl Seymour Fox (1953-1961) found the congregation growing and 
recommended that two services be held on Sunday and a building be added 
next to the American Legion Hall, which soon became Fox Hall.
  Boulder City incorporated as a Nevada Municipality in 1960 and 
inherited all government land leases. The Reverend Guy Holliday (1961-
1978) became the minister, and Grace Community Church entered a 50-year 
lease for the land under the church facility. The Reverend Melvin 
Pritts (1978-1982), from First Methodist Church of Phoenix, succeeded 
Reverend Holliday. The Reverend M. Kenneth Criswell (1982-1985) arrived 
from Ventura, California in time to give support and leadership to the 
committee working on the church's 50th anniversary. He found a debt-
free church and a vital, caring congregation. The Reverend Dr. John J. 
Rousseau (1985-1990), who served three Methodist churches in Hawaii, 
arrived on July I, 1985. The Reverend Dr. Richard Smith (1990-1999), 
was serving

[[Page E1191]]

Grace Community Church when the land was purchased from Boulder City in 
1990. The Reverend Dr. Ronald S. Freel (1999-2004), who was worshipping 
with and volunteering as an Associate Pastor, became the Senior Pastor. 
Pastor Kevin Roach, the new senior pastor, preached his first sermon on 
July 18, 2004, and continues to serve today. Serving under the 
direction of Senior Pastor Kevin Roach are: Associate Pastor Gard 
Jameson, Music Director Carol Simak, Assistant Music Director Barbara 
Walker, and Sharon Wieczorek, who served as the Office Manager for the 
past 7 years is retiring, and is being replaced by Jan Liebhauser.
  The church recently recognized 14 people who have been members for 48 
years or longer, and four who have been members for more than 60 years. 
Carol Bourne, Jack and Dorothy Rants, Lin Diebold, Roy and Elnor Gear, 
Byron Miller, Robert Austin, Del and Eloise Blue, Agnes Lockette, 
Lillian Rigney, and Bob and Virginia Moore have all been members for 48 
years or longer, and at the age of 94, Mary Eaton has been a member for 
72 years, Violet Tracht at 96, has been a member for 63 years, with 
Velma Stice a member for 65 years and Innis Risley being at the 60 year 
mark.
  Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Grace Community Church and 
its accomplishments in Nevada's history. I commend the church for its 
long history of service to the city of Boulder City and wish them good 
fortune for the next 75 years.

                          ____________________