SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 120

WHEREAS, For 150 years, families have come together to celebrate their faith at Saint Mark Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Longview; and

WHEREAS, Freedmen established the congregation in 1867 and initially worshipped under a brush arbor, known as "the meeting place," until a member of the Methodist Church sold the land to them in 1871; and

WHEREAS, The church's first building had two stories, the lower for services and school and the upper for meetings of the United Brothers of Friendship Lodge; it was torn down in 1893 and replaced with a frame building, and a parsonage and fellowship hall were added later; in 1972, the congregation moved into its present-day home on Sapphire Street; the original site of the church received a historical marker in 2003; and

WHEREAS, Through the years, the congregation has benefited from the able leadership of many dedicated pastors, and today that tradition of service continues under the direction of the Reverend Travis Stinson; and

WHEREAS, Saint Mark Christian Methodist Episcopal Church has long served as a source of inspiration and guidance to those who worship there, and its continued existence is a tribute to the unwavering commitment of its members, both past and present; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby commemorate the 150th anniversary of Saint Mark Christian Methodist Episcopal Church and extend to the congregation sincere best wishes for many more years of shared prayer and fellowship; and, be it further

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

Hughes

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on August 10, 2017.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate