LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 140th Anniversary of Saint
John's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Lindenhurst, New York, to be cele-
brated on February 28, 2016

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
140th Anniversary of Saint John's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Linden-
hurst, New York, to be celebrated with a worship service led by Bishop
Robert Rimbo of the Metropolitan New York Synod, ELCR, followed by a
reception on Sunday, February 28, 2016; and
WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion marks the 140th Year of Saint John's
Evangelical Lutheran Church, with the Reverend Thomas E. Taylor leading
families in worship at this vital religious institution today; and
WHEREAS, On February 3, 1871, ground was broken on West John Street,
formerly Falersben Avenue, in Lindenhurst, New York, for construction of
the original church structure; and
WHEREAS, The beginning of the present Lutheran congregation occurred
when connections were severed with the Reformed Consistory; the congre-
gation formally incorporated itself on May 20, 1876, under the title,
"Evangelische Lutherische St. Johannis Gemeinde"; and
WHEREAS, By 1924, the old fire house was purchased and the building on
West John Street was used as a Sunday School and a Parish hall; it was
destroyed by fire in 1926, and Saint John's Evangelical Lutheran Church
was erected; and
WHEREAS, After nearly 30 years, a new church was needed to accommodate
the growing congregation, and in 1953 and 1954, plots were purchased for
the new church building on East John Street, which was dedicated in
1960; the new parsonage and the church tower were built within the next
year and a half and on December 2, 1973, the last part of the church
complex, the Educational Wing, was dedicated; and
WHEREAS, At present, Saint John's Evangelical Lutheran Church stands
humbly, prayerfully, meditatively, and joyfully 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 140th Anniversary of Saint John's Evangelical Lutheran
Church to be observed on Sunday, February 28, 2016, 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 Thomas E. Taylor, Saint John's Evangelical Lutheran
Church, Lindenhurst, New York.