[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 123 (Tuesday, September 14, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1597]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


     A TRIBUTE TO THE FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF TEMPLE CITY

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                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 14, 2010

  Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the First 
United Methodist Church of Temple City upon its centennial anniversary.
  The church was established in 1908, when about 30 people gathered to 
worship in an old wooden schoolhouse in the Santa Anita area of the San 
Gabriel Valley. In 1910, Rev. John Leonard Collins was appointed the 
new minister of the rapidly growing church, called the Mountain View 
Methodist Episcopal Church. As the church continued to grow, a new 
building was completed in 1911, with 14 different denominations 
worshipping in the facility.
  The church was moved to its current location in the Town of Temple, 
today Temple City, in June of 1925, and, with these new roots, the 
church continued to prosper under the new name, Temple Community 
Church, Methodist Episcopal. Much different from the schoolhouse, the 
newly dedicated church boasted Ionic columns and was a fine example of 
modern church architecture. In 1950, the new Sunday school building was 
completed, with the members performing much of the construction. At 
that time, the membership had grown to over 600 members and more space 
was needed, so in 1957, a new sanctuary was completed. In 1964, the 
mortgage was paid off and the church name was changed--this time to 
Temple City First Methodist Church. The original, white columned church 
was demolished in 1964 to make room for a new building housing a 
fellowship hall and church offices. In 1972, the church's name was 
changed to its present name, the First United Methodist Church of 
Temple City.
  Since its inception, the First United Methodist Church has been an 
inclusive and accepting church. In 1987, when the church was asked to 
share their facilities with a Korean United Methodist Church 
congregation, it gladly did so--and again when the church offered to 
share their facilities with a Chinese/English language church in the 
community.
  Under the leadership of Reverend David Palmer, First United Methodist 
Church of Temple City offers a variety of programs and ministries such 
as adult Sunday school, church choir ministry, stress management 
support groups, and the Crafty Ladies, a fellowship group that makes 
handcrafted items for those in need. The church has an impressive 
health ministry program, a cooperative effort between Methodist 
Hospital and local churches, which provides health services to 
congregants. This ministry includes a parish nurse, who provides 
education, information, health counseling, referrals, and training of 
volunteers. In addition, the church created a fitness program called 
Shape Up 2010 that includes walking, biking and low impact aerobics.
  I am proud to recognize the First United Methodist Church of Temple 
City for its 100 years of service to the people of the San Gabriel 
Valley, and I ask all Members to join me in congratulating the 
congregation upon this significant milestone.

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