[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 39 (Thursday, February 27, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E227]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF NEWMAN FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH

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                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 27, 2020

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Newman First 
Christian Church on its one hundred and fiftieth anniversary.
  Newman First Christian Church was born in the hearts of a small band 
of believers in 1870. An early focus of Newman First Christian was to 
make disciples of Jesus, and so for the first sixteen years the church 
did not have a regular minister and services were led by lay leaders, 
evangelists and circuit riders. As the congregation grew in spirit as 
well as in numbers, it soon outgrew its facilities. A new building was 
built to the glory of God on the corner of Green and King streets in 
Newman in 1904 and is used to this day for worship.
  Throughout its history, pastors have generally served for short 
periods of time, the longest being only four years. Then in 1950, the 
church called Reverend Wolfe and for thirty-seven years he served as 
its minister. After his death, the congregation took a step of faith in 
a new direction and in 1987 Newman First Christian became a ``teaching 
congregation.'' It was led by faithful men and women, preachers, and 
ministers until, under the leadership of Perry Albin and Laverne 
Fraser, the church recruited its current pastor, Justin Smith, in 
November of 2017.
  The church is serious about loving Jesus, as well as creating 
opportunities for community involvement, spiritual growth, and 
outreach. Newman First Christian, for example, continues to provide 
meals to various local school sports teams and prayer for local school 
events, sponsor community events, and offer biblical counseling to the 
congregation and community. This focus on service and outreach has 
improved the spiritual and physical well-being of countless people in 
the community.
  Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure I stand to recognize Newman 
First Christian Church on its one hundred and fiftieth anniversary. I 
wish Pastor Smith, the congregation, as well as the community of 
Newman, all the best for a bright and joyous future.

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