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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 41

	WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased 
to recognize the Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church, of the 
historic Austin neighborhood of Clarksville, on the grand 
occasion of its 132nd anniversary; and

	WHEREAS, In 1871, members of the Clarksville neighborhood, 
including the Reverend Jacob Fontaine, Edmond Smith, Mary Smith, 
Shelby Madison, Sally Madison, Peter Wade, Grant Woods, 
Ism Williams, Grand Pa Brown, and Quinton Bolden, began to hold 
regular services in the Second Baptist Church, which eventually 
became the Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church; and

	WHEREAS, In 1882, the congregation purchased land and 
built the first church edifice on West 11th Street; still located 
on the same street, the current church building was built in 1935 
and is considered a historical landmark; and

	WHEREAS, Over the years, Sweet Home Missionary Baptist 
Church has grown in membership, providing a place of worship and 
fellowship for many in the community; and

	WHEREAS, The members of the Carrington family of Clarksville
were founding members of the community and this neighborhood church;
Essex Carrington was the father of the Reverend Albert Carrington 
and the first known black hoseman for the Austin Fire Department 
station number 10, located on Blanco Street at that time; the 
children of Albert and  Matilda Carrington grew up in the 
Clarksville neighborhood and attended the Clarksville School 
and the Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church; members of this 
old Austin family continued to reside in Clarksville for many 
years, sharing their gifts and talents with the community; and

	WHEREAS, The church's longevity and its commitment to 
its holy mission can be attributed to the guidance and wise 
stewardship of its pastors and the leadership of its current 
clergy, the Reverend W. B. Southerland as church leader and 
the Reverend H. J. Carrington, Jr., the great-grandson of 
Essex Carrington, as associate minister; and

	WHEREAS, Throughout its long history in Clarksville, 
Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church has ministered faithfully 
to the spiritual needs of innumerable Christians, and it has 
undertaken many worthy projects that have ensured its continued 
presence as a treasure in the Clarksville community; now, 
therefore, be it

	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 
78th Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby extend best wishes 
to the clergy and the members of Sweet Home Missionary Baptist 
Church on the jubilant occasion of its 132nd anniversary; and, 
be it further

	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 
the church as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate.
                                                                      Barrientos




________________________________ 
    President of the Senate
 
    I hereby certify that the 
above Resolution was adopted by 
the Senate on July 9, 2003.



________________________________ 
    Secretary of the Senate



________________________________ 
     Member, Texas Senate