HR1256 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1256 LRB097 23158 GRL 71980 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate the congregation of Salem First Baptist Church on the occasion of the church's 175th anniversary; and

WHEREAS, The beginnings of Salem First Baptist Church can be traced to the ministry of Dr. John Mason Peck, who, in 1832, first visited Salem in order to establish "a Sunday school in these parts"; and

WHEREAS, Despite being chased by dogs and being met with bitter antagonism from natives, Dr. Peck returned months later and secured permission to conduct a Baptist Sunday school organizational meeting in the county's log courthouse; and

WHEREAS, On November 9, 1837, Dr. Peck, W.F. Boyakin, Nathan Arnot, and Mary P. Rand held an organizational meeting, where Salem First Baptist Church was organized with 12 charter members; and

WHEREAS, The founders of Salem First Baptist Church have passed down a rich heritage of people willing to meet a challenge through shared sacrifice; and

WHEREAS, Salem First Baptist Church has the vision to become a growing family of committed believers with an increasing passion for God, passion for people, passion for spiritual maturity, and a passion to serve; and

WHEREAS, Salem First Baptist Church will celebrate their 175th anniversary on October 6 and October 7, 2012, while glancing gratefully to the past and looking prayerfully to the future; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the congregation of Salem First Baptist Church on their 175th anniversary and wish them all the best in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Salem First Baptist Church as a symbol of our respect and esteem.