H.R. No. 261



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The congregation of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran 
Church in La Grange marked the centennial of the church's founding 
on September 14, 2003; and
	WHEREAS, Festivities included the presentation of a drama, "A 
Centennial Journey," and a special hymn sung by the choir, "The Gift 
of Music," arranged by Scott McNulty; a centennial gift project 
will benefit a number of worthy efforts at the church and locally, 
including a scholarship fund and the historical preservation of the 
church; and
	WHEREAS, St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church was founded on 
September 13, 1903; Pastor Robert Heise and Benno Harigel, Frank 
Reichert, Herman Hackebeil, G. Tiemann, Henry Speckels, Reinhold 
Schmidt, Otto Stolz, Otto Amberg, Otto Moellenberndt, A. Balzer, F. 
Schulz, H. Schuster, Gerhard Speckels, and C. Kaiser were present 
at the establishment; and
	WHEREAS, For the first few years, Reverend Heise conducted 
Lutheran services in German on the second and fourth Sundays of the 
month at the Presbyterian church; services in English were added 
periodically in 1918, and in 1949, regular German language services 
came to a close; and
	WHEREAS, The church's first structure was built in the 100 
block of South Jefferson and Crockett; today, the church home is 
located on Walnut Street between South Jefferson and South 
Washington; from the Frauen Verein organized by the ladies of the 
church in the early days to provide supplies and improvements in 
behalf of the church, the church's ministries and programs have 
expanded through the decades to meet the practical and spiritual 
needs of its members and residents of the wider community; and
	WHEREAS, For 100 years, St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church 
has remained a sanctuary of strength, comfort, and inspiration, and 
it is a distinct pleasure to join in celebrating its centennial of 
faithful service; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby congratulate the members of 
St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church on the joyous occasion of the 
church's 100th anniversary and extend to them best wishes for the 
future; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for the church as an expression of the sentiment of the 
Texas House of Representatives.

                                                                Cook of Colorado

                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 261 was adopted by the House on 
October 10, 2003, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House