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.