Honor St. Mary’s Anniversary

Senate Resolution No. 36 BY: Senator MONTGOMERY COMMEMORATING the 180th Anniversary of St. Mary's Protestant Episcopal Church on October 30, 2016 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 180th Anniversary of St. Mary's Protestant Episcopal Church, celebrated at an event on Sunday, October 30, 2016; and WHEREAS, St. Mary's Protestant Episcopal Church was founded by Reverend D.V.M. Johnson; the first Sunday school was established shortly after, in March of 1836; a year later, Mr. Joseph Hunter took charge of the Sunday School and served as a lay-reader to a small congregation which assembled with the children; and WHEREAS, After a modest edifice was constructed, the Church officially became known as St. Mary's Protestant Episcopal Church; as the congregation grew, the parish continued to purchase more property along Classon and Willoughby Avenues; and WHEREAS, In 1859, the current church building was completed and was later consecrated in 1862 by the bishop of the diocese, with the Reverend Dr. William F. Morgan of St. Thomas's Church preaching the sermon; and WHEREAS, Today, St. Mary's Protestant Episcopal Church continues to serve an assorted congregation that continues to reflect its tradition of diversity and inclusion; and WHEREAS, Throughout its history, as Brooklyn received new waves of immigrants from Europe and the Caribbean as well as the people moving from the agricultural states in the south to the industrial northern states, St. Mary's Protestant Episcopal Church welcomed everyone and has transformed into the flourishing parish it is today; and WHEREAS, St. Mary's Protestant Episcopal Church remains active in the local community of Clinton Hill and Bedford-Stuyvesant by holding concerts and hosting social events; recently, these programs included opera, Rossini's "The Barber of Seville", Jazz Cafe, and concerts produced by St. Mary's Organist and Director of Music: A Potpourri of Song like "Pieta Signore", "Mozart in the Middle", "Un Peu de Tout", "Different Hats", and "Dueling Divas"; and WHEREAS, In 1986, St. Mary's church building was registered as a Historic Landmark, which further illustrates the church's significant architectural and historic place in the city of New York; and WHEREAS, As St. Mary's Protestant Episcopal Church celebrates its 180th Anniversary, congregants joyously celebrate St. Mary's contribution to the Clinton Hill and Bedford-Stuyvesant communities; and WHEREAS, St. Mary's Protestant Episcopal 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 180th Anniversary of St. Mary's Protestant Episcopal 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 transmitted to St. Mary's Protestant Episcopal Church.