[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16608]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



      RECOGNIZING THE 275TH ANNIVERSARY OF PRINCE GEORGE'S PARISH

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                       HON. CONSTANCE A. MORELLA

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 6, 2001

  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 275th 
anniversary of the founding of Prince George's parish. The Parish, and 
its home, Christ Episcopal Church, make up the oldest congregation in 
Rockville, Maryland.
  In 1726, the Prince George's Parish was excised from the original 
southern Maryland parishes, and began to serve the small population on 
the banks of Rock Creek. The original log chapel was replaced in 1808 
by a brick church, and then in 1822, moved one mile to downtown 
Rockville.
  During the Civil War, Christ Church played a role in the underground 
railroad, despite the presence of slave owners within the parish. 
Following the war, in 1884, the parish began construction of its 
current building, strongly influenced by the popular gothic revival 
architecture. A short time later, in 1896, Christ Episcopal Church 
joined the newly founded Diocese of Washington, forming a community of 
churches in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region.
  The past century has seen a series of additions to the original 
church building. In the mid-1960's, the worship space was expanded and 
new classroom space was added. This allowed the growing congregation to 
remain in downtown Rockville, and cemented the partnership between the 
parish and the Christ Episcopal School.
  Education plays an important role in Christ Episcopal Church. In 
addition to the presence of Christ Episcopal School, the Christ Church 
hosts a seminarian from the Virginia Theological Seminary for a two-
year field education placement. Parishioners attend weekly bible study 
and adult covenant classes, where students learn about the history of 
the Episcopal church, and the development of the Christian faith. All 
of this is in addition to the normal Sunday School classes.
  Service also plays a leading role at the church. Congregants 
volunteer at the Rockville Nursing home and with Habitat for Humanity 
of Montgomery and Frederick counties. The church recently hosted 
visiting preacher Reverend Joshua Louw, rector of a parish serving a 
population of individuals relocated by apartheid, from the companion 
Diocese of Capetown, South Africa.
  Of course, worship is the primary function in the Parish. The 
Reverends John S. McDuffie and Susan Astarita lead the parishioners in 
worship every Wednesday and Sunday.
  I am extremely proud to have the Prince George's Parish in my 
Congressional district. Its fascinating history and rich tradition of 
education, service, and faith, is a source of inspiration for all 
Americans. I join with the Prince Georges's parishioners in celebrating 
this impressive 275th anniversary.

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