[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 117 (Monday, September 9, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1251]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNIZING THE 175TH ANNIVERSARY OF ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BILL FOSTER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 9, 2013

  Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 175th 
anniversary of St. Patrick's Church, the oldest Roman Catholic Church 
in the Diocese of Joliet, Illinois.
  St. Patrick's Church dates back to 1838 with the arrival of Reverend 
John Francis Plunkett, an Irish immigrant who was assigned to provide 
spiritual needs to the construction workers of the Illinois & Michigan 
Canal project. As a result of the canal project, many immigrant 
families migrated to the area and as the community grew, St. Patrick's 
Church was born.
  Throughout the next 175 years and seventeen pastors, St. Patrick's 
Church thrived and experienced many changes. For the first 81 years of 
its existence, it was located on Broadway Street, where the current 
Victory Center now stands. In 1919, it moved to its current location on 
West Marion Street.
  Today, the dedicated parishioners of St. Patrick's Church continue to 
extend their commitment to service for their community and beyond. 
Whether it be from the $25,000 in aid they were able to distribute to 
unfortunate families who sought help with bill payments to their 
impressive Food Pantry program which serves more than 300 families a 
month, the parishioners of St. Patrick's Church truly embody the spirit 
of selfless service.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing St. 
Patrick's Church on the occasion of their 175th anniversary and I wish 
them many more years of dedicated service to the community.

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