5686448 ACR 21-102, Foundry United Methodist Church Bicentennial Anniversary Celebration Recognition Resolution of 2015

A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION

 

21-102 

 

IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

 

September 22, 2015

 

 

To recognize Foundry United Methodist Church on the occasion of its Bicentennial Anniversary Celebration and declare September 13, 2015, as "Foundry United Methodist Church Day" in the District of Columbia;

 

WHEREAS, Foundry United Methodist Church (“Foundry”) was dedicated in the city of Washington, D.C. on September 10, 1815;

 

WHEREAS, Foundry was born out of the War of 1812 as a gift to the Methodist Episcopal Church from Henry Foxall, who was the cannon maker to the U.S. government in 1814;

 

WHEREAS, on August 24, 1814, the British forces marched on Washington, D.C. and burned the Capitol Building and the White House;

 

WHEREAS, on August 25, they continued by burning the building just to the west of the White House, and housing government offices, including the War Department and the State Department, and, it was believed, they intended to move on into Georgetown and destroy Mr. Henry Foxall's iron foundry;

 

WHEREAS, the British forces intentions were halted and in gratitude for his foundry being saved, Mr. Foxall pledged to build a chapel in the Federal City and constructed the building at 14th and G Streets, N.W.; 

 

WHEREAS, Mr. Foxall was a lay Methodist preacher, and contributed to the founding of several churches in Washington and New Orleans;

 

WHEREAS, the name Foundry was agreed to by Mr. Foxall in honor of John Wesley's first church in England, known as "The Old Foundery;”

 

WHEREAS, Mr. Foxall deeded the church, which was then called the Foundry Chapel, to the church for $1;

 

WHEREAS, Foundry has served Washington, D.C. and the surrounding area, from clerks to presidents, as well as Congressmen and diplomats, throughout its history.

 

WHEREAS, Foundry has a 1,400-member congregation, which comes from throughout the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area;

 

WHEREAS, Foundry has a strong Christian education program, an outstanding ministerial leadership, under the direction of Rev. Ginger Gaines-Cirelli, and a great choir, led by Stanley Thurston, Director of Music;

 

WHEREAS, there are many ministry teams working to end discrimination, combat HIV/AIDS, provide housing for the homeless, end hunger, welcome refugees, preserve the environment, teach English as a second language, fight for justice for all, and advocate for human rights and peace; and

 

WHEREAS, Foundry is moving into its third century looking forward to continued expansion in all of its worship, education, and service areas to meet the needs of an ever-changing congregation, city, and world.

 

IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, that the Council of the District of Columbia recognizes and honors Foundry United Methodist Church on the observance of its Bicentennial Anniversary Celebration and declares September 13, 2015, as "Foundry United Methodist Church Day" in the District of Columbia.

 

Sec. 2. This resolution may be cited as the "Foundry United Methodist Church Bicentennial Anniversary Celebration Recognition Resolution of 2015".

 

 

Sec. 3.  This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in the District of Columbia Register.