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 1-2                          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 619
 1-3           WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
 1-4     recognize the Lane Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
 1-5     in Lewisville, Texas, on the grand occasion of its official Texas
 1-6     Historical Marker dedication, which took place March 25, 2001; and
 1-7           WHEREAS, Lewisville's oldest black church, the Lane Chapel
 1-8     Christian Methodist Episcopal Church was founded by seven freed
 1-9     slaves in 1882 and was called the Colored Methodist Episcopal
1-10     Church; and
1-11           WHEREAS, The founders chose a tiny, white clapboard house
1-12     on a narrow section of Hembry Street for the church edifice; the
1-13     land was deeded in 1908, and the church was named in honor of
1-14     Bishop Isaac Lane; and
1-15           WHEREAS, The church became a favorite place for the black
1-16     people of Denton County to gather to worship, but it suffered
1-17     setbacks when black citizens migrated to the larger cities during
1-18     the 1920s and 1940s; and
1-19           WHEREAS, Longtime church member Michael Nichols has played
1-20     the piano for the church since he was 10 years old, and his late
1-21     mother, Gladys Shelby, was the main force behind the chapel's
1-22     survival; during difficult times, she paid the church's bills
 2-1     with her Social Security check; and
 2-2           WHEREAS, Fortunately, the chapel was preserved, and its
 2-3     doors stayed open, and now its membership is increasing; in 1993,
 2-4     there were four members, and today there are 54 members; and
 2-5           WHEREAS, A fine example of its period, Lane Chapel Christian
 2-6     Methodist Episcopal Church is one of our state's historical
 2-7     treasures, and the people who have protected it over the years
 2-8     deserve recognition for maintaining the building and preserving
 2-9     a part of Lewisville's history; now, therefore, be it
2-10           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
2-11     77th Legislature, hereby extend congratulations to the members
2-12     of Lane Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church on obtaining
2-13     a historical marker for their church and send best wishes for
2-14     success in the future; and, be it further
2-15           RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
2-16     the Lane Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.
2-17                                                                  Nelson
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 April 2, 2001.
2-23                                  ______________________________________
2-24                                          Secretary of the Senate
2-25                                  ______________________________________
2-26                                           Member, Texas Senate