By:  Saunders                                           H.R. No. 75
       73R2739 PFG-D
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, City residents and members of the First Baptist
    1-2  Church in Smithville recently celebrated the joyful occasion of the
    1-3  congregation's 100th anniversary; and
    1-4        WHEREAS, Although a Baptist congregation had worshiped in the
    1-5  community for many years, the church's official history began in
    1-6  1892, when 35 early members of the congregation purchased property
    1-7  from the Smithville Land Company and established what was known as
    1-8  the "little white church on the corner" at the intersection of
    1-9  Hudgins and Fourth; and
   1-10        WHEREAS, As Smithville grew in population, the church also
   1-11  grew and flourished and, in 1895, enrolled 75 students in its first
   1-12  Sunday school class; when the original church building burned
   1-13  several years later, construction was begun on the familiar brick
   1-14  building that is still in use today; and
   1-15        WHEREAS, Completed in 1923 and later remodeled, the church
   1-16  auditorium over the years has become a popular community gathering
   1-17  place for civic events as well as church functions; in 1951, a
   1-18  parsonage and an education building were erected to support the
   1-19  church's expanding role in the community; and
   1-20        WHEREAS, Dedicated to the denomination's worldwide mission
   1-21  effort throughout its existence, the First Baptist Church has
   1-22  worked closely with the Gonzales Baptist Association, the Baptist
   1-23  General Convention of Texas, and the Southern Baptist Convention to
   1-24  bring spiritual teachings to the world; and
    2-1        WHEREAS, Church members participating in this important work
    2-2  include the Women's Missionary Union, the Royal Ambassadors, the
    2-3  Girls' Auxiliary, and Mission Friends; and
    2-4        WHEREAS, Today, the congregation continues to thrive under
    2-5  the wise guidance of the Reverend Walton Strickland and the
    2-6  inspired musical direction of music and youth minister Gary
    2-7  Heatherly, a welcome new member to the church's ministry; and
    2-8        WHEREAS, The First Baptist Church's 100-year milestone is
    2-9  particularly meaningful to longtime and devoted members Lucille
   2-10  Briggs, Clara Burns, Edna Urner, William Breeden, and Larry
   2-11  Jackson, and secretary Wilma Kellar; and
   2-12        WHEREAS, A cornerstone of the Smithville community throughout
   2-13  the past century, the First Baptist Church continues to play a
   2-14  vital role in the spiritual life of the city's residents; a tribute
   2-15  to the abiding faith of its many members, this historic
   2-16  congregation has provided strength and hope to generations of
   2-17  Texans and indeed merits special legislative recognition on the
   2-18  occasion of its centennial; now, therefore, be it
   2-19        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas
   2-20  Legislature hereby congratulate the First Baptist Church in
   2-21  Smithville on its 100th anniversary; and, be it further
   2-22        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
   2-23  prepared for the First Baptist Church as an expression of highest
   2-24  regard by the Texas House of Representatives.