[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 21]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 29676]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING THE FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF NAPA

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                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, November 5, 2007

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
First Christian Church of Napa, which is celebrating its 150th 
anniversary. The Church has a storied history in the Napa Valley, where 
it has become a fixture in our community and an important place for 
people to come together and worship.
  The First Christian Church of Napa was founded in 1857 by G.O. 
Burnett. Its success built on the work of ``Stormy John'' McCorkle, who 
had founded the first congregation in the valley under a Madrona tree 
near modern-day Rutherford. With the motto ``Let's go Forward through 
Faith'', the Church has expanded well beyond the original eight 
families who formed the charter group. In 1872, members of the 
congregation came together to purchase a piece of land for the church 
building, and began construction. Lacking a resident minister in these 
years, four men worked in concert to lead the Church. These ``Four 
Horsemen'', who helped provide spiritual guidance and leadership in the 
church were A.A. Whitman, T.N. Mount, A.D. Butler, and W.P. Prall.
  In 1951, the First Christian Church moved to its current location on 
First Street in Napa. While promoting an active spiritual life in the 
congregation, the church has reached out to the community and the 
world. Members of the church have worked on Christian humanitarian 
missions on six continents in a wide variety of different countries. 
Additionally, church members have worked in inner-city Los Angeles and 
San Francisco, and locally volunteer time with the Napa Valley Food 
Bank, Church Women United and other community benefit groups.
  The First Christian Church has always taken pride in the sense of 
community among its members, and the work that goes in to helping 
members of the congregation have full lives and strong interpersonal 
relationships. By emphasizing the importance of family and fidelity, 
the church has drawn membership from families for many generations.
  Madam Speaker, at this time it is appropriate that we congratulate 
the First Christian Church of Napa on its 150th anniversary, and thank 
the congregation for all it does in our community.

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