[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 135 (Friday, December 8, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2171]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO WESTERVELT CHRISTIAN CHURCH

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                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 7, 2006

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Westervelt 
Christian Church on the occasion of its induction into the National 
Register of Historic Places in February 2006. Westervelt Christian 
Church celebrated this special occasion with a ceremony on October 8, 
2006.
  The church was formed in 1921 after the Antioch Church families, 
living in Westervelt, felt they were traveling too far for services and 
desired that a new Christian church be built in Westervelt. It is 
believed that charter members of the First Christian Church were 
accepted on October 31, 1921 and that a list of these members was 
placed in the cornerstone of the church.
  The church, built in classical revival style, was built during the 
years of 1921, 1922 and 1923. The lots for the church were donated by 
E.D. and Alpharetta Kerr and Charles and Minnie Donnel. The architect 
was Charles Harris and he designed the interior of the church to have 
outstanding acoustics while the outside of the building was designed to 
resemble a Greek temple. The building was dedicated on May 6, 1923. To 
this day, the church still uses the original theater seats, an original 
serving table in the basement as well as the original hanging lights.
  In 1968, the congregation of First Christian Church decided to remove 
themselves from the Disciples of Christians Churches. The church formed 
new articles of incorporation and changed the name to Westervelt 
Christian Church, a now independent Christian church. Today, the church 
has the following mission statement, ``The mission of the Westervelt 
Christian Church is to exalt and worship Almighty God by living, 
teaching and preaching the gospel of His Son and our Savior Jesus 
Christ as revealed to us by His holy word, the Bible.''
  I am pleased to congratulate Westervelt Christian Church on this 
special occasion. My prayers are with the church during this special 
time. May God bless the congregation of Westervelt Christian Church.

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