[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 75 (Wednesday, May 1, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E424-E425]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN MEMORY OF DR. GLEN C. KNECHT, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 1, 2024

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, last week a beloved former 
pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Columbia, South Carolina, 
passed away but will always be cherished as evidenced by his obituary.

       Dr. Glen C. Knecht, Sr., 94, was received into the glory of 
     his Savior on April 23, 2024, at his home, Laurel Haven, in 
     Laurel, MD. Born March 19, 1930, in Ogdensburg, NY, son of 
     Robert and Wilma Knecht, Glen grew up in Syracuse, NY. Glen 
     was brought to transformative, saving faith in his Lord and 
     Savior Jesus Christ at summer camp as a teenager.
       At 16, Glen began attending Maryville College where he met 
     the love of his life, Betty Jane Greenwald. As the story 
     goes, on their first date she told him she wanted to be a 
     country schoolteacher and Glen replied, ``That's great 
     because I want to be a country preacher!'' Glen went on to 
     graduate from Maryville and later from both Fuller 
     Theological Seminary and Princeton Seminary where he received 
     a Master of Theology Degree. He also received a Doctor of 
     Divinity Degree (Honorary) from Covenant College, Lookout 
     Mountain, GA.
       Their marriage ceremony was broadcast on the live CBS 
     television program, Bride and the Broom and from there the 
     couple embarked on a 72-year journey of service and devotion 
     to the Lord and each other. Together, they answered the call 
     to missionary work in Tabriz, Iran in 1958, and traversed the 
     Atlantic Ocean with their young children, Todd and Beth, in 
     tow. While in Iran, he provided a complete seminary education 
     to an Iranian pastor. He preached in both Persian and Turkish 
     in the church there and in English to the U.S. government 
     personnel in Tabriz. After five years, their term was 
     complete. They returned to the U.S. again by boat, having 
     added Wendy and Janet to the family.
       Glen's first pastorate was at the Union Presbyterian Church 
     in Kirkwood, Pennsylvania where he served before departing 
     for the mission field. Upon his return he served for eight 
     years as pastor of the Oxford Presbyterian Church in Oxford, 
     Pennsylvania, during which Glen, Jr. and daughter, Amy, were 
     born. His next pastorate was at the Wallace Memorial 
     Presbyterian Church (then located) in Hyattsville, Maryland, 
     a stone's throw from the U.S. Capitol. Glen served as senior 
     pastor there from 1971-1983. From 1983-1997, he was Senior 
     Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, SC. From 
     1997-2007 he served at Fourth Presbyterian Church, in 
     Bethesda, MD, first as Assistant Pastor (Minister of 
     Visitation) and then as Associate Pastor for Congregational 
     Care. His last pastorate was at the Christ Reformed 
     Evangelical Church, Annapolis, MD from 2007-2016. He was a 
     member of the Potomac Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church 
     of America at the time of his death.

[[Page E425]]

       He was honored to pastor the historic First Presbyterian 
     Church of Columbia, SC. The kindness and generosity of that 
     congregation blessed the entire Knecht family. During these 
     sweet years in Columbia, their daughter, Janet's condition 
     with MS worsened. The First Presbyterian Church family 
     lovingly cared for them, by putting in a pool for Janet's 
     therapy in the backyard of the manse. While serving in 
     Columbia, he was named to the Order of the Palmetto in 1997, 
     by South Carolina Governor David Beasley, the state's highest 
     civilian honor, given to citizens for lifetime achievements 
     and contributions that have significantly benefited South 
     Carolina.
       Glen had a love for Iranian people throughout his life, as 
     well as for all believers in the persecuted church around the 
     world. He traveled to Pakistan, Ukraine, Cypress, and 
     Ethiopia on short-term mission trips. Through the years Glen 
     influenced countless men and women to follow Christ through 
     his preaching and Christ-like character. He will be 
     remembered for his generosity, hospitality, and his devotion 
     to prayer. His firm convictions regarding honoring the Fourth 
     Commandment, led him to write the book, The Day God Made, 
     concerning the Sabbath, published in 2003 by Banner of Truth.
       Glen or ``Gra'', as he became known by his grandchildren, 
     is survived by his wife of 72 years, Betty Jane Greenwald 
     Knecht, son, Todd R. Knecht, (Jane), daughter, Elizabeth 
     Myers, (Thomas), daughter Wendy Higgins, (Craig), son Glen C. 
     Knecht, Jr. (Beth), and daughter Amy Frierson, (Frick). He is 
     also surviving by 17 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren 
     (so far) and many dear nieces and nephews. Glen was preceded 
     in death by his daughter, Jane Lynn Dick (Jonathan), his 
     parents, his sister, Nancy Cimbal and brothers Robert and 
     Gerald Knecht. We loved him all the way to Heaven!.
       ``For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the 
     whole earth, to give strong support to those who heart is 
     blameless toward him.'' II Chronicles 16:9.

                          ____________________