[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 129 (Tuesday, September 4, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1793]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING BETHEL COMMUNITY CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 4, 2007

  Mr. STUPAK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Bethel Community 
Church, a small, non-denominational church in Newberry, Michigan. For 
100 years, this church has served as an anchor in the Newberry 
community, helping its congregation celebrate the good times and 
weather the bad times.
  Bethel Community Church is steeped in local history. Prior to 
erection of the current church, a group of Christian families first 
began meeting in the home of Margaret ``Grandma'' Walker and later held 
services at Pratt School. The Bethel Community Church was dedicated in 
August of 1907.
  The name of the new church was selected from Genesis 28:17-19, 
wherein Jacob, after spending a safe night of sleep, established an 
altar and named the place ``Bethel,'' meaning the House of God. Bethel 
is further mentioned in Genesis 35:1-15, and is a town 12 miles north 
of Jerusalem. In the Old Testament, the only place mentioned more often 
than Bethel is Jerusalem.
  Sunday School at Bethel Community Church began in the 1890s and was 
initiated by ``Grandma'' Walker, who would hold meetings in her home. 
When the number of attendees exceeded the capacity of her home, the 
Sunday School class was moved closer to Pratt School. Margaret 
``Grandma'' Walker's family would remain active in the church and her 
family would leave an indelible mark on the church's history. 
``Grandma'' Walker's daughter, Gladys Matelski, was more than just a 
member of the congregation, she was a Sunday School teacher and church 
organist for more than 50 years before her passing in 1996.
  As church attendance continued to grow in the late 1800s, members 
began talking about building a church home. Around 1901, a Ladies Aid 
Society was established to begin raising funds toward a church 
building. In 1905, the present land site was donated by Tom Smith's 
family and construction began. The early Newberry community rallied 
together and with members of the congregation volunteering their time 
and effort to build the church. Tithes provided the funding for the 
materials.
  The original church building is still used today for bible study, 
worship services, Sunday School services and meetings of the church's 
``Christian Endeavor Society.'' Eventually, worship services were held 
on alternate Sundays with the Christian Endeavor Society.
  As a small, non-denominational church, Bethel relies on area 
ministers to conduct their worship services. Frequently, pastors from 
the Methodist Church serve in the pulpit, but ministers and pastor from 
the Presbyterian, Lutheran, Baptist, and Wesleyan churches have all 
provided services for area residents.
  Through the commitment of its congregation, the church continued to 
improve. In the 1920s, a basement, bathroom and classroom were added to 
the original church building. In the 1940s, another room was added, 
creating more classroom area and a dining area for potluck suppers and 
other church activities. These additions continue to be used for Sunday 
School, bible study classes, meetings, quilting of the Ladies Aid 
Society and other functions of this small church--including the 
upcoming 100th Anniversary celebration.
  Today, Bethel Community Church remains a vital part of the local 
Newberry community, averaging 22 worshipers each Sunday and 10 
worshipers for Sunday Bible Study. The church invites area residents 
and visitors to attend its Sunday services. Presently copastored by 
Reverends Forrest and Lois Rank, Sunday School/Bible Study is held each 
Sunday, followed by worship service.
  Madam Speaker, this small church has played an important role in the 
Village of Newberry. This Sunday the people of Newberry will observe 
Bethel Community Church's 100 years of service. As Newberry honors this 
pillar of its community, I would ask that you, Madam Speaker, and the 
entire U.S. House of Representatives join me in congratulating the 
church's congregation and honoring this piece of Newberry's history.

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