1-1 ****** NEED TWO-PAGE HEADER ****** 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