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.