By: Haley S.R. No. 534 1-1 SENATE RESOLUTION 1-2 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is proud to 1-3 recognize the First United Methodist Church of Shelbyville, Texas, 1-4 on the grand occasion of its 150th anniversary which is being 1-5 celebrated April 4, 1993; and 1-6 WHEREAS, In 1825, Brother James English, a Methodist preacher 1-7 who settled in Shelby County organized the first church; and 1-8 WHEREAS, In 1836, Shelbyville was incorporated as a town 1-9 and the Methodist Church had approximately 200 members; in 1842, 1-10 the pastor of the church was George West who served until 1845 1-11 when Orin Hatch became the local preacher; and 1-12 WHEREAS, The first Sunday school classes were organized in 1-13 1865 by Professor and Mrs. W. C. Huntington who came from New York 1-14 to teach school in Texas; Mrs. Huntington also organized the Woman's 1-15 Society and the Juvenile Society, the forerunner of Methodist Youth 1-16 Fellowship; and 1-17 WHEREAS, The original church building of the 1820s was 1-18 destroyed by a storm, but the present church was built in 1897 with 1-19 the use of cypress trees which were cut into blocks and then split 1-20 and fashioned into boards; and 1-21 WHEREAS, Built by architect J. M. Pigg, and one of the 1-22 landmarks of Shelby County, the church has a New England style 1-23 steeple, a high pitched roof, and gothic windows; and 2-1 WHEREAS, Over the years, the First United Methodist 2-2 Church has ministered faithfully to the needs of innumerable 2-3 Christians; and 2-4 WHEREAS, Due to the guidance and wise stewardship of its 2-5 pastors, and the outstanding leadership of its current pastor, 2-6 Reverend James Hawkins, the church has continued to grow and to 2-7 undertake many worthy projects within the community; and 2-8 WHEREAS, The First United Methodist Church has become 2-9 an invaluable source of strength for church members during their 2-10 hardships and in times of bereavement; and 2-11 WHEREAS, The celebration of its 150th anniversary is an 2-12 expression of the church's enduring commitment to its holy mission 2-13 and its dedication to tradition and unity among Christians; now, 2-14 therefore, be it 2-15 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-16 73rd Legislature, hereby extend best wishes to the clergy and 2-17 members of First United Methodist Church of Shelbyville on the 2-18 jubilant occasion of its 150th anniversary; and, be it further 2-19 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 2-20 the church as a token of esteem from the Texas Senate. 2-21 _____________________________________ 2-22 President of the Senate 2-23 I hereby certify that the 2-24 above Resolution was adopted by 2-25 the Senate on April 1, 1993. 3-1 _____________________________________ 3-2 Secretary of the Senate 3-3 _____________________________________ 3-4 Member, Texas Senate