On June 3, residents helped Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Floral Park celebrate its 95th anniversary and the 30th anniversary of The Reverend Albert C. Martin's ordination.

It was nearly a century ago that the Village of Floral Park was a small community with a population of less than 1,000. Among those residents were several Lutheran families who organized a Lutheran Mission in town. When a sufficient number of Lutheran prospects were obtained, a meeting was held Sunday, March 10, 1912. Services were conducted for the group of 16 attending and Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church of Floral Park became a reality.

A storefront on Jericho Turnpike, known as Symes Hall, served as the first location for the congregation. This was followed by moves to Holland Avenue in 1915 and the present location at 57 Spooner Street in 1925.

The Reverend Albert C. Martin was born and raised in Wilkes-Barre, PA. Sensing a call to the ordained ministry, Pastor Martin studied at the Lutheran Seminary in Philadelphia and was ordained on June 15, 1977 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Nazareth, PA.

Pastor Martin's first parish was Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Hollis, Queens, from 1977 to 1984. He was then called to serve Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Floral Park.

In celebration of these two milestones, a special worship service was held June 3 in the sanctuary of the church. The Reverend John Richter and the Reverend Leon Phillips, friends of Pastor Martin, conducted this Holy Trinity Sunday service. After the worship service, a gala luncheon was served in the Fellowship Hall. Presentations by local officials and Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church groups were made during the luncheon.