[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 18267]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




IN RECOGNITION OF THE 165TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE HOPEWELL 
                       METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MIKE ROGERS

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 9, 2008

  Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I respectfully ask the 
attention of the House today to pay recognition to the members of 
Hopewell Methodist Episcopal Church in Valley, Alabama, who on 
September 7, 2008, celebrated their congregation's 165th anniversary.
  Church founder James M. Spear began holding Methodist class meetings 
in his home in the early 1840s. Hopewell's first church was erected in 
1843, and the congregation moved to the current site in 1853. Since 
that time, the church has seen many changes, including renovations to 
its historic sanctuary and the addition of a parsonage in 1966. The 
celebration on September 7th paid tribute to the work of Hopewell on 
behalf of its members and community.
  I am pleased to recognize the Hopewell Methodist Episcopal Church 
today for reaching this important milestone in the history of their 
congregation and wish its members all the best in its next 165 years of 
faith and witnessing in the community.

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