[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6209]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO BRITTON CONGREGATIONAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH IN RECOGNITION OF 
                          150 YEARS OF SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. NICK SMITH

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 12, 1999

  Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Britton 
Congregational Christian Church, of Britton, MI. It is my pleasure to 
pay tribute to the fine example its teaching of strong values and 
simple directness has provided to our District.
  On March 28, 1999, Britton Congregational Church, the oldest 
Christian Union church in Michigan, celebrated its 150th anniversary. 
The church took its fundamental character from the efforts of its first 
pastor, Elder Samuel Bradshaw, who stressed the utmost importance of 
strong family values.
  The church completed building its first chapel on January 28, 1850. 
The congregation moved to a new location in 1880 where it meets today, 
but the emphasis on family values remained the same. Rev. David 
Welcome, the current pastor, describes the family atmosphere: ``every 
person is a part of our extended family, with each member helping 
another when family is needed.''
  The fact that Britton Congregational Church endures to this day after 
a century and a half of changing times and surroundings, testifies to 
the commitment the church has maintained to traditional family values 
and concern for its members.
  I am inspired by this legacy of commitment to the values it was 
founded upon, and I hold up its long history as a model for other 
institutions within and outside the district. Congratulations Britton 
Congregational Christian Church on 150 years of service and dedication. 
I wish you the opportunity to continue pursuing these ideals for many 
more years to come.

                          ____________________