[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 11] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 15687] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]A TRIBUTE TO THE FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF TEMPLE CITY ______ HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF of california in the house of representatives Tuesday, September 14, 2010 Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the First United Methodist Church of Temple City upon its centennial anniversary. The church was established in 1908, when about 30 people gathered to worship in an old wooden schoolhouse in the Santa Anita area of the San Gabriel Valley. In 1910, Rev. John Leonard Collins was appointed the new minister of the rapidly growing church, called the Mountain View Methodist Episcopal Church. As the church continued to grow, a new building was completed in 1911, with 14 different denominations worshipping in the facility. The church was moved to its current location in the Town of Temple, today Temple City, in June of 1925, and, with these new roots, the church continued to prosper under the new name, Temple Community Church, Methodist Episcopal. Much different from the schoolhouse, the newly dedicated church boasted Ionic columns and was a fine example of modern church architecture. In 1950, the new Sunday school building was completed, with the members performing much of the construction. At that time, the membership had grown to over 600 members and more space was needed, so in 1957, a new sanctuary was completed. In 1964, the mortgage was paid off and the church name was changed--this time to Temple City First Methodist Church. The original, white columned church was demolished in 1964 to make room for a new building housing a fellowship hall and church offices. In 1972, the church's name was changed to its present name, the First United Methodist Church of Temple City. Since its inception, the First United Methodist Church has been an inclusive and accepting church. In 1987, when the church was asked to share their facilities with a Korean United Methodist Church congregation, it gladly did so--and again when the church offered to share their facilities with a Chinese/English language church in the community. Under the leadership of Reverend David Palmer, First United Methodist Church of Temple City offers a variety of programs and ministries such as adult Sunday school, church choir ministry, stress management support groups, and the Crafty Ladies, a fellowship group that makes handcrafted items for those in need. The church has an impressive health ministry program, a cooperative effort between Methodist Hospital and local churches, which provides health services to congregants. This ministry includes a parish nurse, who provides education, information, health counseling, referrals, and training of volunteers. In addition, the church created a fitness program called Shape Up 2010 that includes walking, biking and low impact aerobics. I am proud to recognize the First United Methodist Church of Temple City for its 100 years of service to the people of the San Gabriel Valley, and I ask all Members to join me in congratulating the congregation upon this significant milestone. ____________________