Senate Resolution No. 907

BY: Senator HELMING

COMMEMORATING the lowering of the Blue Star
Service Flag at the conclusion of World War I and
the 200th Anniversary of the First Presbyterian
Church of Waterloo on March 19, 2017

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 nation to pay tribute
to those institutions and individuals who have contributed to the
ethical and spiritual values of their communities; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the lowering of the Blue Star Service Flag at the conclusion
of World War I and the 200th Anniversary of the First Presbyterian
Church of Waterloo to be celebrated on March 19, 2017, at a Service Flag
Commemoration in honor of the lives of United States Veterans past and
present, at the First Presbyterian Church of Waterloo, Waterloo, New
York; and

WHEREAS, The First Presbyterian Church of Waterloo was founded on
July 7, 1817, when a group of religiously inclined settlers met in a
schoolhouse to organize a Presbyterian Church; later that year, the
church was legally incorporated and became the pioneer religious
organization in Waterloo; and

WHEREAS, In March of 1821, Reverend Aaron Lane was installed as
pastor and remained for 15 years; three years later, a house of worship
was erected and became known as the Little White Church; in February of
1836, Reverend Samuel Gridley was installed as pastor, a role he held
for 37 years; and

WHEREAS, In 1817, the First Presbyterian Church of Waterloo was
established with eight members; as time went on, the membership
continued to grow; by 1850, the Church had become too small to
accommodate the growing congregation; and

WHEREAS, The cornerstone for the new church was laid on August 21,
1850, and was finished by November 12, 1851; after the completion of the
building, the oldest bell in the Village of Waterloo was moved from the
original Little White Church to the present church; and

WHEREAS, During World War I, a Blue Star Service Flag hung on the
Church Sanctuary Platform; the flag's 33 stars, represented the 33 men
from the church serving in the war; after the war was over, on March 28,
1920, a special service was held to lower the flag; and

WHEREAS, According to legend, the flag was given to a church elder
and subsequently, the flag was misplaced; almost a century had passed
before the flag was found for sale online by a museum volunteer; the

volunteer and a board member purchased the flag to donate to the
Terwilliger Museum; and

WHEREAS, During the summer of 2016, the Presbyterian Church
historian was at the museum when she stumbled upon the church's Service
Flag; she was able to convince the Terwilliger Museum Director to allow
the flag to be placed in the church's display case for the March 19th
service, celebrating 200 years of service to the people of Waterloo; 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 lowering of the Blue Star Service Flag at the conclusion
of World War I and the 200th Anniversary of the First Presbyterian
Church of Waterloo, 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
transmitted to Sarah West, Pastor, First Presbyterian Church of
Waterloo.