By Miller                                              H.R. No. 437
         77R8615 MDM-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, In April 2001 the congregation of Greens Creek
 1-2     Baptist Church in Erath County will celebrate the church's 125th
 1-3     anniversary; and
 1-4           WHEREAS, Organized on April 16, 1876, the church traces its
 1-5     roots to the families of Mrs. Narcissus V. Howell and I. A.
 1-6     Whitfield, who moved to Erath County from Alabama; from its 13
 1-7     charter members, the church has grown to more than 300 faithful
 1-8     worshipers; and
 1-9           WHEREAS, The Reverend J. R. Northcutt was the first to pastor
1-10     the new congregation, and through the years, the church has been
1-11     blessed with a number of fine religious leaders; since 1980, the
1-12     Reverend David Blagg has shared his wisdom and counsel as minister;
1-13     and
1-14           WHEREAS, During the first four years of its existence, Greens
1-15     Creek services were held under brush arbors in the summer and in
1-16     members' homes in winter; when a log schoolhouse was built in 1880,
1-17     it housed the worshipers during harsh weather until a tabernacle
1-18     was constructed in 1907; through the ensuing decades, classrooms
1-19     and a parsonage were added, and in 1976, the sanctuary was totally
1-20     remodeled; and
1-21           WHEREAS, The church's first Sunday school was organized in
1-22     1891 under the leadership of Superintendent N. G. Mulloy, and
1-23     today, classes are provided for adults and children of all ages;
1-24     the members' spiritual needs are also addressed by programs
 2-1     including vacation Bible school and various training groups and
 2-2     Bible classes; further, Greens Creek Baptist Church continues its
 2-3     tradition of supporting a vital music ministry as well as foreign,
 2-4     home, and state missions; and
 2-5           WHEREAS, For a century and a quarter, Greens Creek Baptist
 2-6     Church members have demonstrated a steadfast commitment to
 2-7     bettering their community through their church ministry, and their
 2-8     efforts in this regard are truly worthy of special recognition;
 2-9     now, therefore, be it
2-10           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
2-11     Legislature hereby congratulate the Reverend David Blagg and the
2-12     members of Greens Creek Baptist Church on the occasion of the
2-13     church's 125th anniversary and commend them for contributing to the
2-14     church's dynamic history of providing support and inspiration to
2-15     generations of Texans; and, be it further
2-16           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-17     prepared for Greens Creek Baptist Church as an expression of high
2-18     regard by the Texas House of Representatives.