1-1                                     1
 1-2                          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 736
 1-3           WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is proud to
 1-4     recognize Saint Peter Lutheran Church for its outstanding
 1-5     contributions to the Prairie Valley community; and
 1-6           WHEREAS, Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 1996,
 1-7     Saint Peter Lutheran Church has its roots in a congregation
 1-8     originating from a group of German-speaking Lutherans who
 1-9     emigrated from Europe in the 1800s; they settled in a farming
1-10     valley near La Grange; and
1-11           WHEREAS, The new residents of the area quickly decided their
1-12     greatest need was a place to worship; the Knights of Honor Lodge
1-13     members, with a fairly large building, offered their edifice as a
1-14     place of worship to the 16 families who organized a congregation;
1-15     and
1-16           WHEREAS, The Reverend R. Osthoff agreed to come to
1-17     Prairie Valley once a month to conduct services; the first service
1-18     was held on October 11, 1896; and
1-19           WHEREAS, With the growth of the congregation, it became time
1-20     to build their own church; Hermann Wessels donated two acres of
1-21     land, and construction was completed on February 24, 1901; the
1-22     church has had 11 pastors in its years of operation; in 1954, an
1-23     educational annex was added and other improvements effected as the
1-24     need arose; and
 2-1           WHEREAS, The church has a present membership of about
 2-2     70 people; in the past century, there have been 355 baptisms,
 2-3     320 people confirmed, 140 marriages, and 121 funerals; and
 2-4           WHEREAS, Still a vital organization, the church has a Women
 2-5     of the Church group, an altar guild, and an active church council;
 2-6     and
 2-7           WHEREAS, Over the years, Saint Peter Lutheran Church
 2-8     has ministered faithfully to the spiritual needs of innumerable
 2-9     Christians; and
2-10           WHEREAS, Due to the guidance and wise stewardship of its
2-11     pastors, and the outstanding leadership of its current pastor,
2-12     the Reverend Kurt Johnson, the church has undertaken several
2-13     worthy projects within the community; and
2-14           WHEREAS, Saint Peter Lutheran Church has become an invaluable
2-15     source of strength for church members during their hardships and
2-16     in times of bereavement; and
2-17           WHEREAS, The celebration of its 100th anniversary in 1996
2-18     was an expression of the church's enduring commitment to its holy
2-19     mission and its dedication to tradition and unity among Christians;
2-20     now, therefore, be it
2-21           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
2-22     76th Legislature, hereby extend best wishes to the clergy and
2-23     members of Saint Peter Lutheran Church of Prairie Valley; and, be
2-24     it further
2-25           RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for the
2-26     church as a token of high esteem from the Texas Senate.
 3-1                                                              Armbrister
 3-2                                  ______________________________________
 3-3                                          President of the Senate
 3-4                                       I hereby certify that the above
 3-5                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate
 3-6                                  on April 26, 1999.
 3-7                                  ______________________________________
 3-8                                          Secretary of the Senate
 3-9                                  ______________________________________
3-10                                           Member, Texas Senate