By Uher H.R. No. 650
76R11556 MDM-D
R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, On April 25, 1999, the Reverend Dorthea K. "Dottie"
1-2 Dumas will join with the members of the congregation of Matagorda
1-3 United Methodist Church in celebrating the church's 160th
1-4 anniversary; and
1-5 WHEREAS, The Reverend Jack Cox will deliver the message on
1-6 this special day, and the Reverend W. C. Hall, Jr., will reenact
1-7 the role of a Methodist circuit rider, and their presence will make
1-8 the event even more memorable as both gentlemen are former pastors
1-9 of Matagorda United Methodist Church; the celebration will also
1-10 feature performances by guest musicians, tributes to several
1-11 congregants in recognition of their longtime service, and the
1-12 dedication of a new church sign; and
1-13 WHEREAS, The church traces its rich history back to the late
1-14 1820s and early 1830s when circuit riding ministers from the
1-15 Mississippi Conference preached in the area; in December 1839, the
1-16 Rutersville District of Texas was organized with seven churches,
1-17 including one in Matagorda; and
1-18 WHEREAS, For several decades, services were held in different
1-19 buildings until Matagorda United Methodist Church built a parsonage
1-20 in 1891, and the following year a new sanctuary was created by
1-21 Charles Baker; and
1-22 WHEREAS, In 1893, a Sunday school was organized under the
1-23 auspices of the Ladies Aid Society, and B. A. Ryman was elected
1-24 superintendent and served in that capacity for nearly three
2-1 decades; other individuals who faithfully served the church in its
2-2 early years include Minnie Bedford and her sister, Bessie Baker,
2-3 who taught Sunday school for 40 years, Mrs. Frank Berg, church
2-4 treasurer for 40 years, and Lilly Culver, a strong Sunday school
2-5 supporter and longtime collector of funds for the minister's
2-6 salary; and
2-7 WHEREAS, A kitchen and Sunday school rooms were added in
2-8 1930, and though the building was washed off its foundation by a
2-9 hurricane in 1942, the church was soon rebuilt and was enlarged in
2-10 1991 when the Moberley Fellowship Hall was constructed as a space
2-11 for recreation and to serve as a meeting room for community
2-12 organizations; and
2-13 WHEREAS, Matagorda United Methodist Church is home to a
2-14 multi-ethnic, culturally diverse family of worshipers who
2-15 participate in a ministry that significantly benefits the greater
2-16 community; outreach initiatives include an Alcoholics Anonymous
2-17 chapter and a weekly S.T.A.R. program for at-risk children and
2-18 youth; and
2-19 WHEREAS, Designated as a disaster relief shelter, the church
2-20 also serves as a satellite clinic for individuals with mental
2-21 health needs; provides assistance with food, clothing, and
2-22 transportation to medical appointments, as well as funds for
2-23 utility and medical bills; and nurtures the elderly with home
2-24 visits; and
2-25 WHEREAS, Through more than a century and a half, Matagorda
2-26 United Methodist Church members have demonstrated a steadfast
2-27 commitment to bettering their community, and their efforts in this
3-1 regard are truly worthy of special recognition; now, therefore, be
3-2 it
3-3 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas
3-4 Legislature hereby congratulate the pastor and congregation of
3-5 Matagorda United Methodist Church on the occasion of the church's
3-6 160th anniversary and commend them for contributing to the church's
3-7 dynamic history of providing support and inspiration to generations
3-8 of Texans; and, be it further
3-9 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-10 prepared for Matagorda United Methodist Church as an expression of
3-11 high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.