Mr. Speaker. I rise today in recognition of the 175th Anniversary of Bethel United Church of Christ in Freedom Township. Michigan. In 1840. a young German minister. Rev. Friedrich Schmid. gathered 20 German immigrant farm families into a congregation named The Evangelical German Bethel Congregation of Freedom Township. Holding their first services in a log building. the congregation built a wood frame church in 1857. The stone church used today by the congregation was constructed in 1909 with members providing the stones from their fields. Eighteen pastors have shepherded Bethel UCC over the last 175 years. during which they have undertaken numerous mission projects for the benefit of those near and far away.
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immigrant