[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 26 (Friday, February 26, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E261]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   THE 190TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DIXWELL AVENUE CONGREGATIONAL UNITED 
                            CHURCH OF CHRIST

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 26, 2010

  Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 190th 
anniversary of the oldest formally recognized African American United 
Church of Christ church in the world, and a New Haven institution: the 
Dixwell Avenue Congregational United Church of Christ.
  This church was founded in troubled times for African-Americans, and 
it has persevered through recessions, depressions, and wars--including 
the great and terrible conflict that tore this nation apart and at last 
brought freedom to all our citizens. In the midst of long decades too 
often marked by segregation and prejudice, Dixwell survived--and even 
thrived. It has become a true fixture in our city of New Haven, and a 
proud beacon of tolerance, compassion, and justice.
  In fact, it has been such a beacon since its very inception. On one 
hand the year 1820 is remembered as a bright moment for our young 
republic, with an Era of Good Feelings at hand and the memories of both 
the War of 1812 and the Panic of 1819 fading away. On the other, 1820 
was the year of the Missouri Compromise, and the dawning realization 
for many white Americans that the continued existence of slavery in a 
land of liberty was embarrassing, untenable, and morally wrong.
  It was these twin pulls of optimism and growing concern about slavery 
that formed the crucible of 1820, the year that twenty-four former 
slaves and one young white graduate of the Yale ministry, 19-year-old 
Simeon Jocelyn, gathered together in New Haven to found the ``Temple 
Street'' church, or as they called it, the African Ecclesiastical 
Society.
  This is a church founded in bright optimism, in the strong conviction 
that faith and love can overcome fear and prejudice. It was founded in 
a spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood, and in the finest American 
tradition of liberty and equality for all. And it has remained so, 
throughout the 190 years of its existence.
  Indeed, the virtues that informed the founding of Dixwell have 
breathed through the congregation ever since. Now, as it was almost two 
centuries ago, Dixwell is still a place of hope and perseverance, of 
charity and compassion, of freedom, equality, and love.
  I am exceedingly proud to honor the 190th anniversary of Dixwell 
church and its congregation today. And I hope very much it continues 
its proud role in the life of New Haven for many centuries to come.

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