1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 1029 1-3 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is proud to 1-4 recognize the Saint John Missionary Baptist Church of Houston, 1-5 Texas, on the grand occasion of its 100th anniversary, which 1-6 is being celebrated August 22, 1999; and 1-7 WHEREAS, The Saint John Missionary Baptist Church was 1-8 founded by Reverend Hillard Rueben Johnson and was organized 1-9 at Little Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church on Velasco 1-10 Street in August of 1899; Reverend Johnson and the charter 1-11 members purchased land and constructed a small frame building 1-12 on Gray Avenue; and 1-13 WHEREAS, On April 28, 1940, a New Testament Church was 1-14 organized with a membership of 6,677 members; the church was 1-15 organized into divisions and began to grow rapidly; when the 1-16 membership reached 8,000, a new edifice with educational 1-17 facilities was built; and 1-18 WHEREAS, Reverend M. M. Malone became pastor in 1953 and 1-19 served for 30 years; he was succeeded by Dr. Jess E. Baker and then 1-20 by Dr. Lewis R. Morris, who served until Reverend T. C. Collins was 1-21 elected on October 24, 1993; and 1-22 WHEREAS, Over the years, the Saint John Missionary Baptist 2-1 Church has ministered faithfully to the spiritual needs of 2-2 innumerable Christians; and 2-3 WHEREAS, Due to the guidance and wise stewardship of its 2-4 pastors and the outstanding leadership of its current pastor, 2-5 Reverend Collins, the church has continued to grow and to undertake 2-6 many worthy projects within the community; and 2-7 WHEREAS, The church has become an invaluable source of 2-8 strength for its members during their hardships and in times 2-9 of bereavement; and 2-10 WHEREAS, The celebration of its 100th anniversary is an 2-11 expression of the church's enduring commitment to its holy mission 2-12 and its dedication to tradition and unity among Christians; now, 2-13 therefore, be it 2-14 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-15 76th Legislature, hereby extend best wishes to the clergy and 2-16 members of the Saint John Missionary Baptist Church on the jubilant 2-17 occasion of its 100th anniversary; and, be it further 2-18 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for the 2-19 church as a token of esteem from the Texas Senate. 2-20 Ellis 2-21 ______________________________________ 2-22 President of the Senate 2-23 I hereby certify that the above 2-24 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 2-25 on May 20, 1999. 2-26 ______________________________________ 2-27 Secretary of the Senate 2-28 ______________________________________ 2-29 Member, Texas Senate