HR0446 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0446 LRB096 13004 KXB 27152 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate the pastor and congregation of Bethel Baptist Church in Caseyville on the 200th anniversary of the church; and

WHEREAS, Bethel Baptist Church was formed in 1809; the early church members and the first pastor were strong abolitionists, and the early church constitution stated that members could not own slaves or hold a pro-slavery position; and

WHEREAS, The first pastor, James Lemen Sr., was an important figure in the abolitionist movement in the early days of Illinois history, and the early church was an important link in the Underground Railroad; and

WHEREAS, John Mason Peck, another early pastor of the church, helped John Meachum teach African-Americans to read and write on a barge on the Mississippi River; he founded Shurtleff College as Alton Seminary in 1827, and was the author of several books; and

WHEREAS, Bethel Baptist Church has a full and rich history and has truly reached a milestone with this bicentennial anniversary which will be celebrated on October 4, 2009; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the pastor and congregation of Bethel Baptist Church and wish them continued blessings in the years to come; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Reverend Michael Evans, Pastor of Bethel Baptist Church, as a symbol of our respect.