1-1 ****** NEED TWO-PAGE HEADER ****** 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 547 1-3 WHEREAS, For a century and a half, families have come 1-4 together to worship at the First Baptist Church in Palestine, 1-5 and the church's milestone 150th anniversary is truly deserving 1-6 of special recognition; and 1-7 WHEREAS, One of the oldest churches in Palestine, the 1-8 First Baptist Church was originally organized in 1851, with eight 1-9 members, and was called Old Town Baptist Church; reorganized in 1-10 1877, the church experienced significant growth and moved into a 1-11 larger facility on Avenue A a decade later; and 1-12 WHEREAS, Over the next quarter century, the church continued 1-13 to expand and became known as the "Nickel Baptist Church" because 1-14 of the nickel contributions collected to pay for a long-awaited new 1-15 church building; in the midst of this planning, the existing 1-16 structure was destroyed by fire, forcing members to hasten their 1-17 efforts to acquire a new facility; and 1-18 WHEREAS, The church, renamed the First Baptist Church, was 1-19 moved to its current location on North Sycamore Street in 1912; 1-20 this move was made possible by George Killian, owner of Killian Pipe 1-21 Organ in Saint Louis, Missouri, who offered the financial assistance 1-22 needed to complete the building and donated a magnificent Killian 2-1 pipe organ that is still in the sanctuary today; and 2-2 WHEREAS, Over the years, the church has seen significant 2-3 development, including the addition of several education buildings 2-4 and a new sanctuary; among the most dedicated congregations in the 2-5 city, members of this venerable institution have earned respect 2-6 throughout the community for their support of numerous ministries 2-7 and missions; and 2-8 WHEREAS, First Baptist Church is celebrating its 150th 2-9 anniversary on the eve of its fourth and grandest move to a new 2-10 site next year, continuing its mission of comfort and hope into 2-11 the 21st century; now, therefore, be it 2-12 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-13 77th Legislature, hereby commend the First Baptist Church of 2-14 Palestine for 150 years of service and dedication to its 2-15 congregation, and for its commitment to serving the needs of 2-16 the people in the city of Palestine and around the world. 2-17 Staples 2-18 ______________________________________ 2-19 President of the Senate 2-20 I hereby certify that the above 2-21 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 2-22 on March 22, 2001. 2-23 ______________________________________ 2-24 Secretary of the Senate 2-25 ______________________________________ 2-26 Member, Texas Senate