The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING 175 YEARS OF THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF LANSING
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HON. ELISSA SLOTKIN
of michigan
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, December 14, 2021
Ms. SLOTKIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the First Presbyterian Church of Lansing as they gather to celebrate 175 years of continuous faith and service.
Founded on December 17, 1847, First Presbyterian Church is the oldest, formally-constituted church in the city. At the time of its founding, Lansing's residents were unified against slavery and the city served as a secondary stop on the Underground Railroad. The First Presbyterian faith community were among these early advocates for abolition and when the Civil War broke out, strongly supported Michigan troops who joined to defend the Union. The women of First Presbyterian Church cooked, washed clothes, and wrote letters home for those who could not write. Meanwhile, from the church pulpit, Rev. Chester S. Armstrong, urged local farmers to do their part and increase their harvests to feed the Union Army.
After the war, the congregation continued to lead the way for social justice. They were the principal sponsor and supporter of the first African-American Sabbath School in Lansing, which later became the African Methodist Episcopal Church which was founded in 1879. At the turn of the century, when outbreaks of cholera, typhoid, and malaria ravaged the most vulnerable residents in Lansing, First Presbyterian was a key proponent of improving sanitary living conditions. In addition to partnering with the YMCA to support the city's youth, church members were invested in the common welfare of the needy, caring for neighbors who could not work or those whose wages weren't enough to feed their families.
As the city of Lansing grew, so did the First Presbyterian Church congregation. From its new home beside the state Capitol, pastors and elders occupied prominent positions in the community. During the Great Depression, when charity was so desperately needed, the church distributed food and clothing to the poor and provided care for indigent children. It's essential work that continues to this day--
feeding thousands of people through its food pantry.
Madam Speaker, Lansing's First Presbyterian Church is a key player in interfaith and inter-racial fellowship. It serves as a refuge and a sanctuary for several community based-service organizations who truly do God's work in our state capital. They host weekly forums for residents to come together and enrich their understanding of the church's history and tradition while also providing a venue for civic and academic leaders to meet with the community and answer questions on topics relevant to their lives. First Presbyterian supports artists, musicians, charities, and more--truly living up to its commitment as a strong community of faith and a positive agent for social justice and human welfare.
The theme for their 175th anniversary celebration is: ``a diverse Christian community inspired by its heritage, renewed in faith and outreach, and dedicated to peace and justice.'' It is a noble cause for a noble faith community and it is my privilege to recognize First Presbyterian Church of Lansing with these words in the People's House. May they last as a fitting tribute to its 175 years of service and guide the way for the next 175 years to come.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 215
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