HR0445 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0445 LRB095 12141 GRL 36216 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate the Ash Grove Christian Church on celebrating its 175th anniversary; and

WHEREAS, The Ash Grove Church was founded by John Storm Sr. in June of 1832; the church was the first built in the township and the first Christian church in Shelby County; the first church had 18 charter members, with John Storm Sr. as minister; in 1856 a larger church was built at its present site to accommodate its growing congregation; a third church was built in 1887, again to accommodate its growing membership; at noon on June 7, 1894 a basket dinner was held that had between 1,500 and 1,800 attendees; on April 13, 1976, a fire consumed the entire old church and a new church was built; the first service in the new church was held on March 23, 1969; its current minister is Jim Dona; and

WHEREAS, The Ash Grove Church will celebrate its 175th anniversary on June 3, 2007 with a morning service at 9:30 AM and an evening program at 6 PM, in which the congregation will dress in period clothing to emulate a service from 1832; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the congregation of The Ash Grove Church on celebrating the church's 175th anniversary; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Ash Grove Church minister Jim Dona as a token of our esteem and respect.