Honor Fort Miller Church Bicentennial

Senate Resolution No. 574 BY: Senator LITTLE COMMEMORATING the 200th Anniversary of Fort Miller Church of Fort Miller Island, Fort Miller, New York, to be celebrated October 15-16, 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 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 takes pleasure in commemorating the 200th Anniversary of Fort Miller Church of Fort Miller Island, Fort Miller, New York, to be celebrated October 15-16, 2016; on Saturday, there will be music, historical presentations, artifact tours, and seasonal food offerings, as well as a birthday cake; on Sunday, a re-enactment of a 1816 Dutch inspired Church Service will be held followed by a luncheon; and WHEREAS, This auspicious celebration will commemorate the beginnings of what is now considered an intact example of a 19th Century church and community complex; the complex, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996, was built on land given to the community by the Bleeker family of Albany; and WHEREAS, Longtime organist and music director, Debbie Anderson, will open the celebration; the musical prelude will be played on the hybrid pipe organ located in the church's balcony; the organ was updated for sound amplification and donated by Jim Petit who served as the church organist for 50 years before turning the reins over to Mrs. Anderson in the 1990s; and WHEREAS, Malcolm Sanders, who grew up attending the church sermons and now serves as the main archivist, will provide an overview of the buildings uses over the years; it began as a meetinghouse open for all Protestant denominations; in 1822, the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church was formed and remains active to this day; and WHEREAS, Local historians from the Washington County and Fort Miller Historical Societies will talk about Fort Miller as a community both before 1816 and through the present day; and WHEREAS, Given the beauty of the church's architecture, Bill Krattinger of the New York State Department Of Historic Preservation will share his knowledge of why the complex was added to the National Register of Historic Places; and WHEREAS, Fort Miller 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 200th Anniversary of Fort Miller Church of Fort Miller Island, Fort Miller, New York, to be observed October 15-16, 2016, 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 the Fort Miller Church.