[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 135 (Friday, December 8, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2175]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO GRACE CHURCH

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                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 7, 2006

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Grace Church in 
the Borough of Madison, Morris County, New Jersey, a vibrant community 
I am proud to represent! On November 4, 2006, the good citizens of 
Madison celebrated Grace Church's 150th Anniversary.
  Grace Church, the oldest building in Madison, New Jersey still being 
used for its original purpose, is one of the largest congregations in 
the Episcopal Diocese of Newark. The first church service was held on 
April 13, 1856. When completed, the building, including bell and organ, 
cost about $9000 and seated two hundred persons. One hundred and fifty 
years later Grace Church is undergoing a $3,000,000 capital campaign to 
enlarge the existing structure to meet the needs of a still growing 
congregation.
  The earlier years in the history of Grace Church were marked by 
building and consolidating, participation of a wide segment of the 
community: black and white, abolitionist and slave owners, recent 
immigrants and colonial heirs. A new era for Grace Church arrived when 
more than ninety millionaires moved to Morristown and neighboring 
towns, many of whom were Episcopalian. Their generosity enabled the 
church to enlarge, but, unfortunately, membership did not grow as there 
was no need to broaden the financial base with increased membership. 
That changed after World War II, with the population explosion that 
followed the war and the resulting exodus to the suburbs. This brought 
Grace Church to a new era in its history and in the 1950's the church 
underwent a major expansion.
  Today Grace Church's congregation includes parishioners from all the 
neighboring towns and its primary focus is outreach. A wonderful choir, 
with members of all ages, a large and active youth program, and many 
adult ministries fill the church 7 days a week. Under the leadership of 
the Reverend Lauren Ackland, the membership continues to grow.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge you and my colleagues to join me in 
congratulating Grace Church of Madison on the celebration of its 150 
years serving its parishioners County.

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