LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 300th Anniversary of St. John's
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Manorton, 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
300th Anniversary of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Manorton,
New York; and
WHEREAS, St. John's was founded in 1715, by German Palatines, and was
originally located in Tar Bush, south of the present village of Living-
ston; a second building was built to accommodate growing needs and was
known as the Pict or Ther Bush Church; and
WHEREAS, In 1821, the congregation moved to Manorton, New York, and
erected a new house of worship which became St. John's Evangelical Luth-
eran Church; when the building was destroyed by natural disaster, anoth-
er facility was erected in 1861; and
WHEREAS, This building also met with tragedy, and was destroyed by a
fire in July of 1901; the current edifice was erected in 1902, and has
served its congregation to this day; and
WHEREAS, In 1959, a Sunday School wing was added, and in 2000, St.
John's Lutheran Church in Manorton united with St. John's Lutheran
Church in Ancram and Christ Lutheran Church in Viewmonte to form the
Lutheran Parish of Southern Columbia County; and
WHEREAS, St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church stands on the thresh-
old 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. John's Evangelical Lutheran
Church, 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 St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church.