Bill Text: NY J02000 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Commemorating the 120th Anniversary of The Holy Trinity Baptist Church of Brooklyn, New York on May 19, 2019
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2019-06-18 - ADOPTED [J02000 Detail]
Download: New_York-2019-J02000-Introduced.html
Senate Resolution No. 2000 BY: Senator MONTGOMERY COMMEMORATING the 120th Anniversary of The Holy Trinity Baptist Church of Brooklyn, New York on May 19, 2019 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 is justly proud to commemorate the 120th Anniversary of The Holy Trinity Baptist Church of Brooklyn, New York on Sunday, May 19, 2019; and WHEREAS, The Holy Trinity Baptist Church was founded on May 24, 1899, at Ormond Place in the borough of Brooklyn, New York, under the leadership of the late Reverend Seth W. Timms; the first location was on Claver Place between Jefferson and Classon Avenues; and WHEREAS, In 1915, The Holy Trinity Baptist Church called on Reverend Dr. Charles D. Patterson who immediately launched a program to secure a larger space for the church to worship; he led the officers and members to purchase a building, and in 1919, the church moved to a new location on DeKalb Avenue at Franklin Avenue in Brooklyn; and WHEREAS, The Reverend Dr. Thomas Samuel Harten was called to be the new pastor of The Holy Trinity Baptist Church in April of 1922, during which time he led the church into worldwide fellowship; his powerful voice, epic sermons, and social activism commanded the attention of all of Brooklyn, the surrounding boroughs, counties, and states from as far as California to Massachusetts; and WHEREAS, In 1943, the Saturday before Palm Sunday, a major disaster struck and flames destroyed The Holy Trinity Baptist Church; the following week, the Pastor and officers secured the Old Cadman Cathedral on Hancock Street, where the congregation met for three years before purchasing the property at 482 Franklin Avenue; and WHEREAS, In the early 1950s, as the congregation grew, the lack of space at this property also increased; the church began worshipping at The Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) before moving to the TMCA building where they remained until December 1, 1957; and WHEREAS, The Holy Trinity Baptist Church then purchased a new building at 8 Ralph Avenue in Brooklyn, and on November 29, 1957, they held Communion Services; on December 1st of the same year, the church held their first worship service in the sanctuary; and WHEREAS, For more than 46 years, the church membership and community were encouraged and called to action to be servant-leaders because of the courage, leadership, preaching and teaching of Reverend Dr. Thomas S. Harten, who died on March 15, 1968; and WHEREAS, During this time, Reverend E.L. Hardemon was chosen as Interim Pastor until The Holy Trinity Baptist Church extended its call to the Reverend Dr. Oscar Burrel J. Burson who assumed pastoral duties on the first Lord's Day in May of 1969; and WHEREAS, Reverend Dr. Oscar Burrel J. Burson was a strong believer in education, especially Christian education, and during his tenure he instilled in each member its importance; this extraordinary man worked valiantly for the church until his sudden passing on September 23, 2003; and WHEREAS, On Sunday, October 9, 2005, Reverend Dr. Samuel B. Joubert Sr. became the new pastor of The Holy Trinity Baptist Church, which took on new growth and spiritual enthusiasm under his leadership; and WHEREAS, After the death of Reverend Dr. Samuel B. Joubert, the church was under the leadership of Deacon Henry Jeff Davis, Chairman of Deacon Ministry; Deaconess Lena M. Skinner, Chairperson of Deaconess Ministry; and Trustee Sylvester Moss, Chairman of Trustee Ministry; and WHEREAS, Today, under the luminous direction of Reverend Kevin J. Williams, The Holy Trinity Baptist 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 120th Anniversary of The Holy Trinity Baptist Church of Brooklyn, New York on May 19, 2019; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Reverend Kevin J. Williams, The Holy Trinity Baptist Church, Brooklyn, New York.