By:  Barrientos, Armbrister                     S.R. No. 1186
    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 San Marcos, Texas,
    1-4  on the grand occasion of its 100th anniversary which is being
    1-5  celebrated this year; and
    1-6        WHEREAS, San Marcos barely existed as a community when a
    1-7  congregation of nine Methodists, led by circuit-riding A. B. F. Kerr
    1-8  of Seguin, met in the John D. Pitts cabin to organize the town's
    1-9  first church, and the congregation was served by circuit riders
   1-10  until 1870 when a regular pastor was assigned; and
   1-11        WHEREAS, A combination Methodist church and Masonic Lodge
   1-12  was erected in 1855 at the church's present location, but the
   1-13  edifice burned, and the congregation relied on the chapel of the
   1-14  Methodist-operated Coronal Institute; and
   1-15        WHEREAS, The church that stands today was constructed
   1-16  in 1893 under the leadership of the Reverend Alexander; the
   1-17  construction was directed by James Delaney McBride, and the
   1-18  Society of Willing Workers raised money for the pulpit, the
   1-19  walnut altar rail, and the light fixture for the choir loft; and
   1-20        WHEREAS, In 1983, the Texas Historical Commission and the
   1-21  congregation collaborated financially to restore the structure as
   1-22  closely as practicable to its 1893 appearance; refurbishing efforts
   1-23  included the removal of panels to expose the bell which had been
    2-1  donated in 1872 by Captain Lewis Lawshe and is the oldest public
    2-2  artifact in San Marcos; and
    2-3        WHEREAS, Over the years, the First United Methodist Church
    2-4  has ministered faithfully to the needs of innumerable Christians;
    2-5  and
    2-6        WHEREAS, The church has become an invaluable source of
    2-7  strength for its members during their hardships and in times of
    2-8  bereavement; and
    2-9        WHEREAS, Today the church is Texas' oldest American
   2-10  Gothic-style edifice in continuous use by an active congregation
   2-11  and has become a symbol of stability and a source of pride to the
   2-12  entire community; and
   2-13        WHEREAS, The celebration of its 100th anniversary is an
   2-14  expression of the church's enduring commitment to its holy mission
   2-15  and its dedication to tradition and unity among Christians; now,
   2-16  therefore, be it
   2-17        RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
   2-18  73rd Legislature, hereby extend best wishes to the clergy and
   2-19  members of the First United Methodist Church on the jubilant
   2-20  occasion of its 100th anniversary; and, be it further
   2-21        RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
   2-22  the church as a token of esteem from the Texas Senate.
   2-23                                 _____________________________________
   2-24                                        President of the Senate
   2-25                                      I hereby certify that the
    3-1                                 above Resolution was adopted by
    3-2                                 the Senate on May 30, 1993.
    3-3                                 _____________________________________
    3-4                                        Secretary of the Senate
    3-5                                 _____________________________________
    3-6                                         Member, Texas Senate
    3-7                                 _____________________________________
    3-8                                         Member, Texas Senate