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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are pleased to recognize Zion United Church of
4Christ in Marion as it celebrates the 125th anniversary of its
5founding from April through December of 2013; and
 
6    WHEREAS, The Zion United Church of Christ was organized on
7October 13, 1888 by a group of farmers of German and Swiss
8heritage who saw the need for religious and educational
9guidance; they organized a congregation under the leadership of
10the Reverend Ed Schweizer and the church's first building was a
11small-frame structure built largely by volunteers on West
12Cherry Street; its dedication took place in March 1889 and the
13church was known as Evangelische Zions Gemeinde zu Marion,
14Williams County, Illinois; the church had 20 initial members in
15its congregation; and
 
16    WHEREAS, The Zion United Church of Christ underwent changes
17and additions throughout the years; in 1908, a new steeple and
18bell tower were dedicated and the congregation had grown to 46;
19in 1924, a brick church of semi-gothic architecture was
20dedicated and in 1952, its name was changed to Zion Evangelical
21and Reform Church; the Education Building was dedicated in 1958
22and a larger and redesigned sanctuary was dedicated in 1971; in
231975, with the merging of the Evangelical and Reformed Churches

 

 

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1and the Congregational and Christian Churches in the United
2States, the church became known as Zion United Church of
3Christ, Marion, Illinois; a new wing to the east of the
4sanctuary was dedicated in 1989 and additional lands were
5acquired in 1993; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Plans for the 9-month long celebration include a
7Confirmation Reunion for all confirmed members and an ice cream
8social on June 9; in October 2013, a special service and
9potluck dinner will be held, with conference ministers and
10former pastors as special guests; in December 2013, some of the
11early Christmas traditions of the church will be re-enacted,
12including giving children "goodie bags" called "tuts" when they
13recite or sing; and
 
14    WHEREAS, The Zion United Church of Christ was the first in
15Marion to have a Christmas tree, or a "Tannenbaum", with a
16bucket of water nearby in case the tree caught fire from the
17candles; therefore, be it
 
18    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
19NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
20we congratulate the Zion United Church of Christ in Marion on
21its 125th anniversary, recognize the congregation as they
22celebrate the church's founding throughout 2013, and wish the
23congregation many more successful years; and be it further
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
2presented to the Zion United Church of Christ in Marion as an
3expression of our esteem and respect.