Senate Resolution No. 3857

BY: Senator BONACIC

COMMEMORATING the 150th Anniversary of Christ
Church, of Warwick, 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 is justly proud to commemorate the
150th Anniversary of Christ Church, of Warwick, New York; this momentous
occasion was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in recognition of
its expansive renovation on Wednesday, December 13, 2017; and

WHEREAS, A lively, growing and diverse parish, Christ Church is an
Episcopalian church located in the village of Warwick, New York; and

WHEREAS, On July 3, 1867, Christ Church was consecrated by the Right
Reverend Horatio Potter, Bishop of the Diocese of New York; the church
maintained a strong role in the community throughout the 19th century;
and

WHEREAS, Christ Church built its present rectory on an open lot at 5
Second Street in the early 20th century; in the 1940s, the Drew House
adjacent to the church, was purchased for use as a parish house; in
1964, this was torn down and the current parish house was erected; and

WHEREAS, The exterior of Christ Church was preserved in 1988; four
years later a new pipe organ was installed and dedicated at an evening
ceremony and concert on November 29, 1992; and

WHEREAS, In 2001, the congregation and the community came together
to restore and preserve the rectory, and in 2009, Deacon E. Suzanne
Wille was hired as the church's first assistant and female priest; and

WHEREAS, The Reverend Jim Erwin became Christ Church's rector in
December of 2012; under his luminous direction, the church has continued
to thrive, and subsequently an expansion project began in 2017, on a
major renovation of the parish house and hall; and

WHEREAS, After several years of planning, Christ Church now has an
additional 2,400 square feet of space to accommodate its growing
congregation and the surrounding community; and

WHEREAS, Christ 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 Christ Church, of Warwick, New
York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Reverend Jim Erwin, Christ Church, Warwick, New York.