[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 24113]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



   150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH IN MORRIS, 
                                ILLINOIS

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                           HON. JERRY WELLER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 5, 2001

  Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 150th 
anniversary of the establishment of the Immaculate Conception Church in 
Morris, Illinois.
  In the fall of 1852, John McNellis, a local grain dealer, deeded two 
and a half acres of land to people who were interested in forming a 
Roman Catholic Church. Mr. McNellis also provided land for a parsonage 
and two schools, and he built a three story brick school because he 
felt that education was very important and believed that every child 
deserved to have an education. The church became the Immaculate 
Conception Church in Morris, Illinois.
  On December 8, the church will start a year long celebration in 
commemoration of the establishment of the parish. The past 150 years 
have been full of progress and history. A fire almost destroyed the 
church in 1903, and in 1988, lightning struck the bell tower, causing 
an estimated $90,000 worth of damage, but the church prevailed. 
Throughout adversity the church keeps growing due to the hard work of 
the parishioners and the community of Morris. Many additions have kept 
the grounds looking fresh. A new parish center was dedicated in 1988. A 
group of parishioners transformed the lawn between the church and the 
parish hall into a beautiful prayer garden in 1991. Another major 
project was the restoration of the rectory in the Father Poff Center, 
which houses the meeting rooms and offices.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend the parishioners for all of 
their hard work and dedication to the church and to the city of Morris.

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