[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 102 (Friday, June 24, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E987]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ANDY BARR

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 24, 2016

  Mr. BARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a very special church in 
Lexington, Kentucky. Christ Church Cathedral was established in 1796. 
This year they celebrate 220 years of ministry. The congregation of 
Christ Church has included several prominent members, including 
statesman Henry Clay, who represented Kentucky in both the U.S. Senate 
and the U.S. House of Representatives, served three nonconsecutive 
terms as Speaker of the House, and served as U.S. Secretary of State 
under President John Quincy Adams.
   Christ Church was the first Episcopal Church congregation west of 
the Allegheny Mountains. The earliest church building was a small frame 
church, which was replaced by a larger brick building in the early 
1800s. The current church building was designed by the famous architect 
Thomas Lewinski in the Gothic Revival style and completed in 1848.
   The first rector of Christ Church was Rev. James Moore, who also 
served as the first President of Transylvania University. The church is 
currently led by The Very Reverend Carol Wade and serves a unique 
downtown Lexington ministry. Some of Christ Church's many community 
outreach ministries include mentoring at-risk students, serving the 
homeless through Room in the Inn and Church Under the Bridge 
ministries, and providing Christmas gifts to needy children through the 
Angel Tree project.
   Many lives have been changed by the ministry of this church. Indeed, 
my own family has been blessed by this vibrant spiritual community: I 
served in the Christ Church men's and boys' choir during my childhood 
years; I participated in services as an acolyte as a young man; my wife 
Carol and I were married in the Cathedral in 2008; and both of our 
daughters were baptized there. As the Cathedral celebrates its historic 
220th anniversary, its members will continue their ministry to worship 
and serve God through Jesus Christ. My family and I are honored to call 
Christ Church Cathedral our spiritual home and I am honored to 
recognize this historic Cathedral before the United States House of 
Representatives.

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