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 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