Bill Text: TX HR2627 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commemorating the 150th anniversary of Bethlehem African Methodist Episcopal Church in Old Ocean.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2017-05-31 - Reported enrolled [HR2627 Detail]
Download: Texas-2017-HR2627-Enrolled.html
H.R. No. 2627 |
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WHEREAS, The members of Bethlehem African Methodist | ||
Episcopal Church in Old Ocean are celebrating the 150th anniversary | ||
of their church's founding on June 11, 2017; and | ||
WHEREAS, This historic institution traces its roots back to | ||
the end of the American Civil War when, shortly after news of the | ||
Emancipation Proclamation issued by President Lincoln arrived in | ||
Texas, five former slaves, Abraham Kennedy, Calvin Parks, Saul | ||
Harris, Charlie Lee, and Charles Allison, purchased a 600-acre | ||
tract of land in the Chances Prairie community on which to build | ||
homes for their families; and | ||
WHEREAS, Looking ahead, the men also reserved an acre of this | ||
tract as a future church site, and in 1867, the first church, a log | ||
building, was erected on the property; under the guidance of its | ||
inaugural pastor, Father Hayward, the church aligned with the AME | ||
denomination in 1880, and it later merged with Brazoria and Cedar | ||
Break churches; and | ||
WHEREAS, In 1916, the original edifice was destroyed by a | ||
storm, but members soon banded together to fund a new sanctuary | ||
constructed by E. O. Viola; that facility housed the congregation | ||
until 1940, when the Reverend E. A. Thomas successfully spearheaded | ||
an effort to purchase and build the present-day building; and | ||
WHEREAS, Over the years, Bethlehem AME has benefited from the | ||
able leadership of many dedicated clergymen, and that tradition of | ||
service is continued today by the Reverend Fred P. Blair Jr., who | ||
assumed the pulpit in 2010; the church has long played a vital role | ||
in the community through numerous ministries and outreach programs, | ||
including its annual Trustee Rally and Memorial Day celebration; | ||
and | ||
WHEREAS, For the past century and a half, Bethlehem AME | ||
Church has served as a source of inspiration and guidance to those | ||
who worship there, and its continued existence is a testament to the | ||
unwavering commitment of its members and clergy, both past and | ||
present; now, therefore, be it | ||
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas | ||
Legislature hereby commemorate the sesquicentennial of Bethlehem | ||
African Methodist Episcopal Church and extend to the congregation | ||
sincere best wishes for many more years of shared prayer and | ||
fellowship; and, be it further | ||
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be | ||
prepared for the church as an expression of high regard by the Texas | ||
House of Representatives. | ||
Bonnen of Brazoria | ||
______________________________ | ||
Speaker of the House | ||
I certify that H.R. No. 2627 was adopted by the House on May | ||
28, 2017, by a non-record vote. | ||
______________________________ | ||
Chief Clerk of the House | ||