[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12180]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF ST. PAUL AND ST. JAMES FOR ITS 
                     CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 9, 2005

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today 
to join the Reverend Barbara Cheney and the congregation of the 
Episcopal Church of St. Paul and St. James as they celebrate the 
restoration of this historic New Haven treasure. This is a very special 
occasion for the community and this New Haven institution.
  Standing on the corner of Chapel and Olive Streets in New Haven, St. 
Paul and St. James has anchored the Wooster Square neighborhood for 
more than 175 years. Originally, the church was designed with two 
wooden towers, however, as the years past, it became evident that these 
towers would need replacing. In 1893 the west tower was rebuilt in 
stone and the wooden top of the east tower was removed--creating the 
church's distinctive look with one short tower and one tall. Recently, 
the need came once again to restore the west tower and it is the 
completion of that renovation which the community celebrates today with 
a rededication ceremony.
  Our churches play a vital role in our communities--providing people 
with a place to turn to for comfort when they are most in need. In the 
nearly two centuries of its history, there have been many who have 
worshiped within the halls of St. Paul and St. James and many who have 
found peace and strength in the outstretched arms of the congregation. 
Beyond the spiritual guidance it has provided, St. Paul and St. James 
is also home to several successful outreach ministries. With 
congregants from New Haven, West Haven, Hamden, and Branford, it is an 
interracial, diverse congregation with a strong emphasis on social 
justice and advocacy. For the last twenty-five years, the church has 
run the Loaves and Fishes Food Closet, one of the largest food banks in 
the state. Other programs include a Clothes Closet, an alliance with 
the Neighborhood Health Project, a Children's Mission, and an active 
membership in the faith-based grass roots organizing effort, Elm City 
Congregants Organized. It is through all of these efforts that St. Paul 
and St. James touches the lives of thousands and makes a real 
difference in their lives.
  With the completed renovations, the west tower is now lit at night 
and clearly visible from the New Haven Green--the heart of the city of 
New Haven. It serves as a shining beacon of hope for those most in 
need. For its many spiritual and community contributions, I am proud to 
stand today to pay tribute to the Episcopal Church of St. Paul and St. 
James and its congregation as they celebrate this very special 
occasion. It is my hope that they will continue to serve our community 
for many more years to come.

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