[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9926]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



  HONORING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF SAINT JAMES CHURCH IN MILLSTADT, 
                                ILLINOIS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 5, 2001

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join 
me in honoring the 150th Anniversary of Saint James Church in 
Millstadt, Illinois.
  This event is truly a milestone in the history of the St. James 
Parish. The parish was founded in 1851 in Millstadt. In 1863, a brick 
structure was completed to house the church. In 1881, a fire consumed 
the church leaving only the bell tower intact. Soon after that, the 
present church was constructed around what remained after the fire.
  The parish serves over 600 families representing 1300 parishioners. 
St. James is also active in the community, sponsoring a Parish Festival 
in August and a Dinner Auction in November. St. James also boasts an 
active quilting group, an Over 50 Club and sponsors numerous blood 
drives. The school has over 150 students enrolled and last September, 
the parish opened an early childhood center.
  Churches are the backbone of every community. With each church spire 
that dots our area, each one represents a community of people. St. 
James has served the community of Millstadt for the past 150 years and 
will serve the community far into the future.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Saint James 
Church on the occasion of its 150th Anniversary and to recognize their 
service to the community.

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