HR1187 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1187 LRB096 22180 KXB 40915 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate the congregation and pastor of First Baptist Church of Melrose Park on the occasion of the 93rd anniversary of the church; and

WHEREAS, The first meeting of the First Baptist Church of Melrose Park was held at 110 North 22nd Avenue in Melrose Park; Reverend William Baldwin presided and later served as founding pastor; the Church adopted the name The First Colored Baptist Church of Melrose Park; and

WHEREAS, During the pastorate of the late Reverend W. Thomas, the church purchased property in 1920 to build a new church building; this effort was eventually discontinued; the name was changed to First Baptist Church of Melrose Park on November 22, 1922 during the pastorate of Rev. G.B. Donaldson; and

WHEREAS, Reverend B.S.J. Ford became the 6th pastor of First Baptist Church in 1932; under Pastor Ford, First Baptist built its first church building in 1945; due to the Church's income at the time, as well as banking practices during the 1940s, First Baptist was allowed to build a house without interior walls or a basement for use as its church building; a foyer area and basement were later added; and

WHEREAS, The Church has had eight locations to the present date; Reverend Harry McNelty served as Assistant Pastor to Pastor Ford for six months and became the 7th pastor of First Baptist on September 18, 1959; under Pastor McNelty's leadership, First Baptist Church achieved much of its progress; a new edifice was built at 2114 Main Street in 1966, new auxiliaries and groups were instituted to meet the needs of the congregation, an addition to the new church was completed in 1978, a new bus and van were purchased, and property around the Church was purchased; and

WHEREAS, A preschool and school, named after Pastor McNelty, were founded in 1985 and the physical plant was constructed in 1990, with an addition completed in 2001; and

WHEREAS, Reverend John L. Belser became the 8th Pastor of First Baptist on April 5, 2002; under his leadership, First Baptist has restructured ministries to address membership and community needs, began radio and television broadcasts, instituted children's church and enhanced youth ministry, launched an Internet website and enjoyed tremendous growth spiritually, numerically, and financially; plans are currently underway for the relocation of First Baptist Church to larger facilities; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the congregation and Pastor Belser on the 93rd anniversary of First Baptist Church of Melrose Park; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Reverend Belser and the congregation of First Baptist Church of Melrose Park as a symbol of our respect and esteem.