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