[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21816]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



   RECOGNIZING ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF 
                          ANSONIA, CONNECTICUT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES H. MALONEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 6, 2001

  Mr. MALONEY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I take this opportunity to 
recognize the 150th anniversary of the First United Methodist Church of 
Ansonia, CT.
  Since its first meeting in 1848 at the home of James Booth, the 
Methodist Episcopal Society of Ansonia has been an invaluable member of 
the community. In 1851, the Ansonia Methodist Society was formed and 
began meeting in the second story hall of a building on the corner of 
Main and Bartlett Streets. This hall became the first house of worship 
for the Ansonia Society. As membership expanded and the society outgrew 
its meeting hall, they began looking for a new house of worship. A new 
church was built on Main Street, and the first worship service took 
place there on April 22, 1865. A fire damaged the church in April of 
1887. Through the dedication of the parishioners, and with the help of 
a local Baptist Church, the building was reopened in August of 1887.
  Tragically, in December 1943, another fire destroyed the Main Street 
Methodist Church. In the true spirit of America, the Trinity Methodist 
Church opened its doors, minds, and hearts to the membership of the 
Main Street Methodist Church and in 1944 the two churches merged. 
Combining resources, a new sanctuary was planned and the first worship 
was observed on June 24, 1951. On November 5, 1951, Bishop G. Bromely 
Oxnam formally dedicated the newly completed building.
  As the Trinity Methodist Church opened its doors to the Main Street 
Methodist Church, so has the First United Methodist Church of Ansonia 
opened its doors to the community. Hosting the Ansonia 2001 Education 
and School project meetings, making itself available to many community 
groups and organizations who need meeting space, serving as the site 
for the Ansonia High School Baccalaureate worship, and offering itself 
as a place of prayer and hope when many churches came together the day 
following the tragic events ofSeptember 11, 2001.
  At this troubling time in our Nation's history many Americans turn to 
their church as a foundation of support. For 150 years the First United 
Methodist Church of Ansonia has been providing its community with that 
support. As you can see, the First United Methodist Church is a 
sterling example of what America stands for--unity, diversity, and 
commitment to community. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to represent the 
membership of the First United Methodist Church and wish them another 
150 years of successful community service.

                          ____________________