By Rhodes                                        H.R. No. 189

      75R5555 SAJ-D                           

                                 R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, This year, the members of First United Methodist

 1-2     Church in San Marcos will celebrate 150 years of faithful service

 1-3     to the spiritual needs of their community, and this remarkable

 1-4     milestone is indeed worthy of praise and recognition; and

 1-5           WHEREAS, The church was organized in 1847 by Pastor A. B. F.

 1-6     Kerr and nine charter members at the home of John D. Pitts, and the

 1-7     site would serve as the congregation's meeting place for two years

 1-8     until a permanent structure to house the church could be completed;

 1-9     and

1-10           WHEREAS, The church's current house of worship was built in

1-11     1893 on land donated by the Pitts family; the edifice underwent

1-12     extensive restoration in 1980 and 1981, and for more than a

1-13     century, its lovely Carpenter Gothic sanctuary has served as a

1-14     peaceful oasis for the congregation; and

1-15           WHEREAS, Many believe that the church's bell may be the

1-16     oldest artifact in the community, dating back to a chapel

1-17     established in 1806 in Macon, Georgia; the church also boasts the

1-18     town's first pipe organ, which was installed in 1912, and its

1-19     lovely original curved walnut pews, pulpit, and altar rail still

1-20     serve church members well today; and

1-21           WHEREAS, Through the years, First United Methodist Church has

1-22     played a vital role in the San Marcos community, and it currently

1-23     offers a variety of innovative and successful programs targeted to

1-24     the diverse needs of its members, including youth groups, a United

 2-1     Methodist Women organization, a Mother's Day Out program, and the

 2-2     popular Logos after-school program for children; and

 2-3           WHEREAS, Throughout its proud history, the First United

 2-4     Methodist congregation has provided outstanding spiritual

 2-5     leadership and moral guidance to the San Marcos community; the

 2-6     church stands today as a tribute to the dedication and hard work of

 2-7     its members, past and present, who have devoted their time, energy,

 2-8     and resources to ensure its continued existence as a house of God;

 2-9     now, therefore, be it

2-10           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

2-11     Legislature hereby honor First United Methodist Church on the

2-12     occasion of its sesquicentennial and commend the Reverend Bernie

2-13     Sandberg and his congregation for the many significant

2-14     contributions they have made to the betterment of their community;

2-15     and, be it further

2-16           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

2-17     prepared for First United Methodist Church as an expression of high

2-18     regard  by the Texas House of Representatives.