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79R17718 MDM-D

By:  Flynn                                                        H.R. No. 1805



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The year 2005 marks the 126th anniversary of the 
founding of Prairie Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Rains 
County; and
	WHEREAS, This historic house of worship holds the distinction 
of being the first African American church in the county; among its 
22 dedicated pastors since the church's inception have been a 
former slave, the Reverend Cicero Commodore Chambers, who served as 
Prairie Grove's third pastor and the first moderator of the Cypress 
Baptist Association, and the Reverend Cleveland Alexander, who led 
the church for 28 years; and
	WHEREAS, Initially, services were held in a log structure, 
and through several moves and numerous rebuilding, renovation, and 
expansion projects, the physical plant has been enlarged and 
modernized to keep pace with its growing membership; and
	WHEREAS, Since Reverend Willie Ray Byrd answered the call to 
pastor Prairie Grove in 1997, his dedication and leadership have 
kept the church moving forward; among its array of programs are a 
young adult Sunday school class and an ecumenical sunrise service 
held in conjunction with Emory Baptist Church and Emory United 
Methodist Church, as well as Men on the Move Brotherhood, young 
women's, prayer warriors, and crisis ministries; and
	WHEREAS, For 126 years, Prairie Grove Missionary Baptist 
Church has served Rains County residents as a source of spiritual 
guidance and support for generations of Texans, and its notable 
history and important contributions to the community merit special 
recognition; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby congratulate all those affiliated with Prairie 
Grove Missionary Baptist Church on its 126th anniversary and extend 
to them sincere 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 high regard by the Texas 
House of Representatives.