79S20334 MMS-D



By:  Brown of Kaufman                                             H.R. No. 103





R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The Church of the Living God, P.G.T., in Athens celebrated 100 years of faithful witness and service during its centennial commemoration on July 22-24, 2005; and WHEREAS, The church traces its roots to services that W. H. Richardson, an evangelist, began holding in November 1905; congregants initially met under a brush arbor at 511 Chase Street, but by the end of 1906 they had erected a small frame sanctuary; that first building was replaced in 1917 by a larger structure, which was itself later enlarged and remodeled; and WHEREAS, In 1985 the congregation moved into its present spacious facility on Highway 175 East, where the church now owns approximately 10 acres; a family-youth center was completed in 2003, providing a full-size gym, a double conference room, five classrooms, a kitchen, and office space; and WHEREAS, Today the church membership stands at about 200, while a staff of 13 ministers oversees areas ranging from prayer, youth, and music to prison outreach; programs offered by the church include Bible classes, women's groups, four choirs, and a twice-a-month children's church; and WHEREAS, Eldress Mary Henderson, a native of Athens, serves as senior pastor of the congregation; after balancing involvement in the church with her career at First National Bank for a number of years, she resigned from the bank a decade ago in order to fully respond to her calling; and WHEREAS, Throughout the history of this venerable church, succeeding generations have continued to honor and build on the contributions of members who have gone before; sustained by a common purpose, warm fellowship, and inspired teaching, the congregants of the Church of the Living God have remained steadfast in their care for one another and their ministry to the world around them, and it is a pleasure to recognize the enduring commitment of this community of faith; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby honor the Church of the Living God, P.G.T., in Athens on the joyful occasion of its centennial and that all those associated with this church be extended sincere best wishes as they embark on their second hundred years of praise and worship; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the Church of the Living God as an expression of high esteem by the Texas House of Representatives.