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