R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, On July 22, 2001, the congregation of Selden Baptist
 1-2     Church in Erath County will celebrate the church's 120th
 1-3     anniversary; and
 1-4           WHEREAS, Organized on July 20, 1881, in the Indian Creek
 1-5     schoolhouse near Indian Creek Cemetery, the church's early members
 1-6     included R. W. Rhea, E. M. Rhea, D. B. Rhea, J. J. Wyatt, J. M.
 1-7     Cook, and S. J. Cagle, who attended a constitution meeting and
 1-8     adopted the articles of faith of the Bosque River Baptist
 1-9     Association; T. D. Cargill and R. W. Rhea served as the first
1-10     deacons; and
1-11           WHEREAS, The Reverend H. S. Hatchett was the first to pastor
1-12     the new congregation, and through the years, the church has been
1-13     blessed with a number of fine religious leaders; in 1953, J. B.
1-14     Ryals became the first full-time pastor, and since May 21, 2000,
1-15     the Reverend Peter G. Pharis has shared his wisdom and counsel as
1-16     minister; and
1-17           WHEREAS, In 1882, the church moved to Selden and held
1-18     services near Sims Creek; the next year its name was changed to
1-19     Sims Creek Baptist Church and the first Sunday school classes
1-20     began; in 1898, it became Selden Baptist Church and a new building
1-21     was completed, although it was not dedicated until 1901; the
1-22     following year, the Baptist Young People's Union was added to
1-23     regularly scheduled activities; and
1-24           WHEREAS, The church home in use today was dedicated in 1928,
 2-1     wired for electricity in 1939, and enlarged in 1964 when Sunday
 2-2     school rooms, a kitchen, office, and baptistry were added; prior to
 2-3     that time, the practice was for individuals to be baptized either
 2-4     in Sims Creek or in a stock tank; and
 2-5           WHEREAS, For a century and two decades, Selden Baptist Church
 2-6     members have demonstrated a steadfast commitment to bettering their
 2-7     community through their church ministry, and their efforts in this
 2-8     regard are truly worthy of special recognition; now, therefore, be
 2-9     it
2-10           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
2-11     Legislature hereby congratulate the Reverend Peter G. Pharis and
2-12     the members of Selden Baptist Church on the occasion of the 120th
2-13     anniversary of this fine church and commend them for contributing
2-14     to the church's dynamic history of providing support and
2-15     inspiration to generations of Texans; and, be it further
2-16           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-17     prepared for Selden Baptist Church as an expression of high regard
2-18     by the Texas House of Representatives.
                                                                      Miller
                                             _______________________________
                                                   Speaker of the House
               I certify that H.R. No. 1146 was adopted by the House on May
         25, 2001, by a non-record vote.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House