1-1 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 607 1-2 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is proud to 1-3 recognize Matagorda United Methodist Church of Matagorda, Texas, 1-4 on the grand occasion of its 160th anniversary, which is being 1-5 celebrated April 25, 1999; and 1-6 WHEREAS, The Matagorda United Methodist Church has its 1-7 roots in the Mississippi Conference which organized the Rutersville 1-8 District of Texas with seven churches in December of 1839; the date 1-9 of construction for the first Matagorda Methodist Church building 1-10 is unknown, but an edifice was in existence in 1851 and was later 1-11 destroyed in "The Great Storm of 1854"; and 1-12 WHEREAS, After the storm, services were held in various 1-13 locations until the present church building was erected in 1892 1-14 by Mr. Charles Baker; in 1893, a Sunday school was organized, and 1-15 an addition to the church was constructed in 1930 to house Sunday 1-16 school rooms and a kitchen; in 1991, Moberley Fellowship Hall was 1-17 added to provide the church with additional space for community 1-18 gatherings; and 1-19 WHEREAS, Over the years, the Matagorda United Methodist 1-20 Church has ministered faithfully to the spiritual needs of 1-21 innumerable Christians; and 1-22 WHEREAS, Due to the guidance and wise stewardship of its 1-23 pastors, and the outstanding leadership of its current pastor, the 1-24 Reverend Dorthea K. Dumas, the church has continued to grow and to 2-1 undertake many worthy projects within the community; and 2-2 WHEREAS, The church has become an invaluable source of 2-3 strength for its members during their hardships and in times of 2-4 bereavement; and 2-5 WHEREAS, The celebration of its 160th anniversary is an 2-6 expression of the church's enduring commitment to its holy 2-7 mission and its dedication to tradition and unity among Christians; 2-8 now, therefore, be it 2-9 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-10 76th Legislature, hereby extend best wishes to the clergy and 2-11 members of Matagorda United Methodist Church on the jubilant 2-12 occasion of its 160th anniversary; and, be it further 2-13 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for the 2-14 church as a token of esteem from the Texas Senate. 2-15 Armbrister 2-16 ______________________________________ 2-17 President of the Senate 2-18 I hereby certify that the above 2-19 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 2-20 on April 12, 1999. 2-21 ______________________________________ 2-22 Secretary of the Senate 2-23 ______________________________________ 2-24 Member, Texas Senate