[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 4170]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING 225TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CONGREGATION IN 
                               GEORGETOWN

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ROY BLUNT

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 9, 2005

  Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Presbyterian 
Congregation in Georgetown, which is celebrating 225 years of 
distinguished history on March 16, 2005. On the Sundays when I'm in 
Washington, I often attend this church and I'm always reminded of its 
unique heritage.
  The church's history is deeply connected with the history of the 
Nation. It started with a small group of worshipers in 1760 who were 
organized into a church in 1780 under the eminent Stephen Bloomer 
Balch, pupil of religious leader John Witherspoon and soldier of the 
Revolution. It is the first Presbyterian Church in what is now modern-
day Washington, DC, and remains the oldest church in the city of any 
denomination with an unbroken ministry. Men and women of every 
denomination worshiped there, including many leaders of the young 
republic.
  The first, and for many years the only, Protestant church building in 
Georgetown was erected by its congregation in 1782. Additions were made 
in 1794 with Thomas Jefferson listed among the contributors. A rare 
charter, still in effect, was granted in 1806 to ``the Presbyterian 
Congregation in George Town'' by an act of Congress signed by President 
Jefferson. In 1810, the church's seal, with its seven stars and Bible, 
was given to the church by the superintendent of the United States 
Mint. In 1821, President Monroe laid the cornerstone for the beautiful 
Bridge Street building which was moved fifty years later to its present 
site, with President Grant laying the cornerstone at that location. 
This is the same building in which the congregation now worships.
  The Presbyterian Congregation in Georgetown has always been a pioneer 
in the religious and cultural life of the community. In 1781, Dr. Balch 
became headmaster of the Columbian Academy to which George Washington 
sent his nephews and wards. Later, a school for girls was founded. The 
first book published in the District of Columbia was written by Dr. 
Balch, and he helped to found the first public library. As an outgrowth 
of the church's ministry, Episcopal, Methodist, and Presbyterian 
churches were established in Washington and Maryland.
  The church's bell tolled all day when President Washington died. 
George Washington Parke Custis, the grandson of Martha Washington and 
father-in-law of Robert E. Lee, delivered an oration on the defeat of 
Napoleon from the church's pulpit. Memorial services for President 
William Henry Harrison were conducted there. During the Civil War, its 
building was used as a hospital for both Union and Confederate 
soldiers, including casualties after the Second Battle of Manassas and 
the Battle of Fredericksburg. In these and many ways, the church has 
been identified with the history of the nation it has sought to serve.
  The church's ministry remains vibrant today. The congregation is 
thankful for the recent arrival of its new pastor, the Reverend Doctor 
Richard L. Sheffield. Under his dynamic leadership and with God's 
grace, I'm certain that the church will continue to play an important 
role in the Washington community.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the United States House of 
Representatives to join me in honoring the Presbyterian Congregation in 
Georgetown on its 225th anniversary. It is both an honor and a pleasure 
to salute such a long-standing institution that has played such an 
important role in the history of our Nation.

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