LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 150th Anniversary of St.
Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Port Jervis, New York

WHEREAS, Religious institutions, and the many spiritual, social and
educational benefits they confer, play a vital role in the development
of the moral fabric of a responsible citizenry; and
WHEREAS, It is the tradition of this State and this Nation to pay
tribute to those institutions and individuals who have contributed to
the ethical and spiritual values of their communities; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body takes pleasure in commemorating the
150th Anniversary of St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Port
Jervis, New York; and
WHEREAS, St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church held its first meet-
ing on February 27, 1859, with six families organizing a German Church
Society; the congregation celebrated its first Holy Communion and
elected their first Church Council on May 5, 1859; and
WHEREAS, The first church was located in an area of town called the
"Flatts," near the Delaware River; in 1888, the church purchased the
Episcopal Church at the corner of Sussex and Hammond Streets; and
WHEREAS, In 1949, the city traded a parcel of land with the congre-
gation, so that the city could build a city hall; St. Peter's Evangeli-
cal Lutheran Church broke ground on its new church on March 12, 1950,
and it officially moved into its new home on November 18, 1951; and
WHEREAS, Under the devoted leadership of Pastor Patt Kauffman, St.
Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church stands on the threshold of tomorrow,
prepared to meet the challenges of the coming decades while retaining
that spiritual resolve which characterizes its past; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to take note of
enduring religious institutions and to bring such institutions to the
attention of the people of this Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 150th Anniversary of St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran
Church of Port Jervis, New York, fully confident that this commemoration
reflects the belief in those values which enhance the dignity and
purpose of life; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Reverend Patt Kauffman, Pastor, St. Peter's Evangelical Luth-
eran Church, Port Jervis, New York.