By:  Armbrister                                        S.R. No. 159

 1-1                                      1

 1-2                              SENATE RESOLUTION

 1-3           WHEREAS, The First United Methodist Church of

 1-4     San Marcos, Texas, is celebrating the 150th anniversary

 1-5     of its founding, and the Texas Senate is pleased to extend

 1-6     congratulations on this significant milestone; and

 1-7           WHEREAS, The handsome edifice has graced the San Marcos

 1-8     skyline since 1893, but the congregation dates back to 1849,

 1-9     when a Methodist circuit rider organized nine charter members

1-10     in the log cabin home of the John D. Pitts family; and

1-11           WHEREAS, The present Carpenter Gothic sanctuary is the third

1-12     building to occupy the site; after meeting in the Pitts home for

1-13     two years, the congregation moved their services to a public

1-14     building; when Mr. Pitts bought property along the San Antonio

1-15     Road, he deeded his property in town to the church; and

1-16           WHEREAS, The Methodist congregation shared a building with

1-17     the Masonic Order until the two-story frame building was destroyed

1-18     by fire in 1868; a second building of red brick was completed on

1-19     the site in 1872 but was torn down in 1891 because of serious

1-20     cracks in the walls; and

1-21           WHEREAS, The third and present structure of cypress lumber

1-22     was completed in 1893, and the sanctuary still has its original

1-23     curved walnut pews, pulpit, and altar rail; the interior has

 2-1     retained the original beaded board, and the chandeliers still

 2-2     hang from cast iron medallions; and

 2-3           WHEREAS, One of its most significant artifacts is the

 2-4     bell in the bell tower that dates to the chapel of the 1806

 2-5     Fort Hawkins in Macon, Georgia, established during the presidency

 2-6     of Thomas Jefferson for the conversion of the Indians; and

 2-7           WHEREAS, The first pipe organ was installed in the church

 2-8     in 1912 and was electrified in 1924; art glass windows replaced

 2-9     simple colored glass panes in 1938; after extensive renovation

2-10     in 1980, the historic old church was restored to much of its

2-11     original beauty with the bell tower reopened and the sanctuary

2-12     remodeled to reveal the original stained glass transoms; and

2-13           WHEREAS, The original group of nine members in 1847 has

2-14     grown to an active membership of more than 1,300; two morning

2-15     services and classes for adults and children are held each

2-16     Sunday; programs during the week include youth and women's

2-17     organizations, Bible study, choir practice, and children's

2-18     groups; now, therefore, be it

2-19           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,

2-20     75th Legislature, hereby recognize the United Methodist Church

2-21     of San Marcos on the momentous occasion of its 150th anniversary

2-22     and express its admiration to the members of the congregation

2-23     on this special day in the life of their church; and, be it

2-24     further

2-25           RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared as

 3-1     an expression of the esteem of the Texas Senate with best wishes

 3-2     for a most blessed celebration.

 3-3                                 ______________________________________

 3-4                                         President of the Senate

 3-5                                      I hereby certify that the above

 3-6                                 Resolution was adopted by the Senate

 3-7                                 on February 13, 1997.

 3-8                                 ______________________________________

 3-9                                         Secretary of the Senate

3-10                                 ______________________________________

3-11                                          Member, Texas Senate