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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are pleased to congratulate Rev. Derrius
4Colvin Sr. and the congregation of the First Progressive Church
5of Christ in Chicago on the occasion of the church's 60th
6anniversary; and
 
7    WHEREAS, The rich history of the First Progressive Church
8of Christ began in February of 1954, when the church's pastor
9and officers purchased the property at 7257-59 South Wabash and
1060 East 73rd Street in Chicago; the church's early years moved
11successfully and progressively and more auxiliaries and
12departments were added to meet the demands of the growing
13congregation including the Men's Workshop, Junior Choir,
14Children's Bible Hour Purity Class, and Cub and Boy Scouts; and
 
15    WHEREAS, By 1959, the membership had outgrown its present
16facility and another building program was begun; a $50,000
17addition was put on to the church in this successful endeavor;
18the congregation was able to burn the church's mortgage in
191967; and
 
20    WHEREAS, After the death of Bishop J.M. Heywood, the First
21Progressive Church of Christ continued its work under the
22leadership of Rev. Charles Snipes, who led the church until

 

 

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1September of 1973; during this time, 2 deacons were ordained,
2Reynold Dillon and Gilbert Matthews; in October of 1979, Rev.
3Bennett Wolfe was called to pastor the church; during Rev.
4Wolfe's tenure, the Bus Ministry was instituted; in April of
51977, Rev. Wolfe left First Progressive and leadership
6responsibilities were taken on by Deacons Isaac May and Reynold
7Dillon until the church elected Deacon W.I. Irving as Church
8Chairman; during this time, Rev. John F. Sanders was acting
9host minister; and
 
10    WHEREAS, In April of 1976, Rev. Fred L. Dade became the
11pastor of the First Progressive Church of Christ; under his
12leadership of preaching and teaching the Word of God, more
13people were added to the church; during Pastor Dade's ministry,
14Rev. John F. Sanders was ordained as a Minister, while Ralph
15Smith, Columbus Bowens, and Hurdylyn Woods were ordained as
16deacons, and the J.M. Haywood Youth Workers, Angelic Choir, and
17Inspirational Choir were organized; in 1990, Eddie Dade was
18ordained as a minister and Burnett E. Smith was ordained as a
19deacon; and
 
20    WHEREAS, After Pastor Dade's passing in July of 2002, Rev.
21Derrius Colvin Sr. became the pastor of the First Progressive
22Church of Christ in April of 2003; under his leadership, the
23church has experienced continually great progress spiritually,
24numerically, and financially; under his leadership, the

 

 

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1Evangelism Ministry was formed; and
 
2    WHEREAS, Rev. Derrius Colvin Sr. and the congregation of
3the First Progressive Church of Christ serve as models of hard
4work, integrity, and dedication for the people of the State of
5Illinois; therefore, be it
 
6    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
7NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
8we congratulate Rev. Derrius Colvin Sr. and the congregation of
9the First Progressive Church of Christ on the occasion of the
10church's 60th anniversary and wish them continued success and
11happiness in the future; and be it further
 
12    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
13presented to the congregation of the First Progressive Church
14of Christ as a symbol of our esteem and respect.