HR0616 LRB096 14630 GRL 29470 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3 Representatives are pleased to congratulate the congregation
4 of the St. Columba Episcopal Church on the occasion of the
5 church's 50th anniversary on September 26, 2009; and
 
6     WHEREAS, The first services at St. Columba Episcopal Church
7 were held by Rev. John F. Plummer on September 13, 1959; Rev.
8 G.P. Burrill served as the church's first bishop; for its first
9 several years, the church was little more than a makeshift
10 arrangement in either a vacant building or at Woodland Heights
11 School, with a revolving seat serving as the original pulpit
12 and a small table serving as the church's first altar; a
13 baptismal service on October 18, 1958 featured 4 children and
14 74 attendees in a room that was so crowded that the priest
15 could barely avoid stepping on children during the proceedings;
16 and
 
17     WHEREAS, St. Columba Episcopal Church was completed and
18 dedicated on Thanksgiving in 1964; the new church could seat
19 about 100 people; in the following years, the church's
20 congregation grew so much that a school with 6 classrooms was
21 added in 1968; the church later added stained-glass windows; in
22 1985, the church was granted parish status; and
 

 

 

HR0616 - 2 - LRB096 14630 GRL 29470 r

1     WHEREAS, Today, St. Columba Episcopal Church is now stable
2 and debt-free, with a loyal and dedicated congregation; the
3 church's current vicar is Rev. Dr. Matthew P. Idicula, who has
4 been serving as pastor since April of 2007 and has a long and
5 distinguished career in the ministry; the church is very active
6 in its community, holding regular fundraising flea markets,
7 aiding the economically disadvantaged, and urging its
8 parishioners to contribute to a local food pantry and women's
9 crisis center; therefore, be it
 
10     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
11 NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
12 congratulate the congregation of the St. Columba Episcopal
13 Church on the occasion of the church's 50th anniversary and
14 wish them continued success and happiness in the future; and be
15 it further
 
16     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
17 presented to Rev. Dr. Matthew P. Idicula as a symbol of our
18 esteem and respect.