[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 162 (Monday, November 14, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1437]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





RECOGNIZING THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF WESLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IN 
                              TOLEDO, OHIO

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 14, 2016

  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a milestone in the 
life of Wesley United Methodist Church in Toledo, Ohio. I was 
privileged to participate in the congregation's celebration this 
weekend.
  In 1891, the Reverend Homer Hood found a church building on the 
corner of Spring Street in Toledo. He established a Sunday school class 
there, and the church community grew. A decade later, women of the WTCU 
began selling ten cent doughnuts to raise funds to build a church of 
their own.
  In 1924, the cornerstone of Wesley United Methodist Church was laid 
at 2934 Stickney Avenue in the heart of Toledo's North End, the oldest 
part of the city. The church was raised and Wesley United Methodist 
Church has been firmly planted at this location ever since. Even in the 
dark days of America's Great Depression, the congregation grew. 
Notably, John G. Kingsley made the mortgage payments, at the cost of 
his own business. Fortunately, he was able to restart his business 
later. Throughout the 1940s the church continued to grow. As World War 
II carried on in that decade, many members were part of the war effort, 
with some giving the ultimate sacrifice in battle. The 1950s and 1960s 
saw continuing growth, mission work, choirs and a junior church with 
two active youth groups.
  The 1970s and 1980s brought change, but the church remained an anchor 
in the neighborhood and provided outreach. The church welcomed its 
first female minister to the pulpit, with Dr. Margaret Mallory's 
installation in her first congregation. The 1990s brought further 
change and a partnership with Broadway United Methodist Church that 
lasted briefly. The congregation also celebrated a glorious 100th 
anniversary in 1991.
  The dawn of the congregation's life in a third century brought Pastor 
Waverly Earley, whose service continues to this day. The congregation 
is committed to being ``the hands and feet of Jesus'' in our community. 
Parishioners describe themselves as a ``caring family, closely knitted 
together and striving to serve God in all ways that are possible.'' 
Living Jesus Christ's message described in Matthew 25:40 that ``Truly I 
tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and 
sisters of mine, you did for me,'' the church is committed to active 
ministry and is involved in the North Toledo Citizens Circle for ex-
offenders, host of Camp Toledo, and Toledo Area Ministries' Feed Your 
Neighbor's largest site. The church's Mary/Martha Circle continues its 
behind-the-scenes mission efforts to help support the congregation. The 
church offers a participatory youth group and youth choir and recently 
added a Men's Group and a men's chorus. Family is the focus with family 
movie nights, ice cream socials, harvest dinners, outdoor services, 
Vacation Bible School and milestone celebrations of faith.
  Wesley United Methodist Church congregants declare that they are 
``serving God and mankind with our SWEAT.'' That is, ``Service, 
Worship, Evangelism, Alliances, and Teachings.'' For more than a 
century, its members have brought that zeal to its neighborhood in 
North Toledo, serving as a beacon of hope and light. As the 
congregation celebrated 125 years of rich history, it looks forward 
with faith continuing its journey with Jesus.

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