81R3645 JGH-D
 
  By: Aycock H.R. No. 275
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, First Baptist Church of Killeen is beginning a fresh
  chapter in its proud history with the dedication of its new
  sanctuary in the spring of 2009; and
         WHEREAS, Originally founded in the small town of Palo Alto in
  1873, First Baptist Church moved to Killeen in 1883; the
  congregation met in the community's schoolhouse until a wooden
  tabernacle could be built; and
         WHEREAS, A redbrick sanctuary was constructed at the corner
  of Fourth and Green Streets in 1917 to accommodate the community's
  growing population; the church began to attract members from Fort
  Hood during World War II, and in 1949 the church dedicated a
  separate education building; and
         WHEREAS, In 1955, another sanctuary and an education center
  were built, and these buildings and the original redbrick church
  were joined together by the Welcome Center in 1963; the Clements
  Chapel was dedicated in 1976, replacing the original redbrick
  structure; and
         WHEREAS, Now, under the leadership of Pastor Randall Wallace,
  this dynamic congregation is expanding again into a handsome
  contemporary complex on 20 acres of land, helping the church to
  enhance its prominent position in the community and support its
  many missions overseas; and
         WHEREAS, For more than 125 years, the First Baptist Church
  has played a vital role in the lives of the citizens of Killeen and
  the soldiers of Fort Hood, and the opening of its new facility is a
  fitting opportunity to celebrate the proud legacy and bright future
  of this Killeen institution; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
  Legislature hereby congratulate First Baptist Church of Killeen on
  the dedication of its new sanctuary in 2009 and extend to the church
  best wishes for its continued success; and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
  prepared for the congregation of First Baptist Church of Killeen as
  an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.