Honor Christ Church's 150th

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.