LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 300th Anniversary of St. Paul's
(Zion's) Evangelical Lutheran Church of Red Hook, New York, celebrated
on June 7, 2015

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
300th Anniversary of St. Paul's (Zion's) Evangelical Lutheran Church of
Red Hook, New York, celebrated on Sunday, June 7, 2015; and
WHEREAS, This auspicious milestone was recognized at a special service
presided over by Pastor William Starkweather, Pastor of St. Paul's
(Zion's) Evangelical Lutheran Church, and preached by Bishop Robert Alan
Rimbo; and
WHEREAS, In 1715, Palatine German refugees established the joint-Re-
formed Lutheran Church, now known as St. Paul's (Zion's) Evangelical
Lutheran Church; in 1890, the famed red brick church, which stands as a
landmark today, was designed by New York City Architect Lawrence B.
Valk; and
WHEREAS, In 1998, the entire complex of St. Paul's (Zion's) Evangeli-
cal Lutheran Church was listed on the National Register of Historic
Places, as one of the earliest Lutheran Churches established in the
region; and
WHEREAS, St. Paul's (Zion's) Evangelical Lutheran Church is a congre-
gation of the Metropolitan New York Synod (MNYS) of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church of America (ELCA); it is one of three congregations
which belong to the Lutheran Parish of Northern Dutchess County; and
WHEREAS, Under the luminous leadership of Pastor William Starkweather,
St. Paul's (Zion'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 300th Anniversary of St. Paul's (Zion's) Evangelical
Lutheran Church of Red Hook, New York, fully confident that this commem-
oration 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 Pastor William Starkweather, St. Paul's (Zion's) Evangelical
Lutheran Church.