LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 200th Anniversary of the First
Congregational Church of Lewis of Lewis, 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 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
200th Anniversary of the First Congregational Church of Lewis of Lewis,
New York, to be celebrated during the weekend of July 28 and 29, 2012
with a number of activities commemorating the Bicentennial of the
church; and
WHEREAS, The First Congregational Church of Lewis is the oldest
Congregational Church in northeastern New York State and was placed on
the National Register of Historic Places during the Town of Lewis's
Bicentennial in 2005; and
WHEREAS, Perched on a knoll overlooking the hamlet, the church has
proudly welcomed visitors to the town for two centuries; the First
Congregational Church of Lewis was established on June 12, 1812 when
Reverend Cyrus Comstock met with a handful of people at the home of Dr.
Alexander Morse in Elizabethtown for the purpose of organizing a full
time Congregational Church in Lewis; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Comstock is known as the father of Congregationalism
in Essex County and as the inventor of the Comstock wagon; although like
many institutions, the First Congregational Church of Lewis has experi-
enced many ups and downs during the course of its proud history, its
members have persevered to keep the doors open; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Frederick Shaw has served both the First Congrega-
tional Church of Lewis and the United Church of Christ in Elizabethtown,
New York for more than 20 years and holds the distinction of being the
longest tenured minister at either church; and
WHEREAS, The First Congregational Church holds worship services each
Sunday and Sunday school is provided for any interested child from the
area; and
WHEREAS, The First Congregational Church of Lewis stands on the thres-
hold 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 200th Anniversary of the First Congregational Church of
Lewis, New York, fully confident 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 the First Congregational Church of Lewis, Lewis, New York.