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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The members of Bethlehem African Methodist |
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Episcopal Church in Old Ocean are celebrating the 150th anniversary |
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of their church's founding on June 11, 2017; and |
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WHEREAS, This historic institution traces its roots back to |
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the end of the American Civil War when, shortly after news of the |
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Emancipation Proclamation issued by President Lincoln arrived in |
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Texas, five former slaves, Abraham Kennedy, Calvin Parks, Saul |
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Harris, Charlie Lee, and Charles Allison, purchased a 600-acre |
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tract of land in the Chances Prairie community on which to build |
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homes for their families; and |
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WHEREAS, Looking ahead, the men also reserved an acre of this |
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tract as a future church site, and in 1867, the first church, a log |
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building, was erected on the property; under the guidance of its |
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inaugural pastor, Father Hayward, the church aligned with the AME |
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denomination in 1880, and it later merged with Brazoria and Cedar |
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Break churches; and |
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WHEREAS, In 1916, the original edifice was destroyed by a |
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storm, but members soon banded together to fund a new sanctuary |
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constructed by E. O. Viola; that facility housed the congregation |
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until 1940, when the Reverend E. A. Thomas successfully spearheaded |
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an effort to purchase and build the present-day building; and |
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WHEREAS, Over the years, Bethlehem AME has benefited from the |
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able leadership of many dedicated clergymen, and that tradition of |
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service is continued today by the Reverend Fred P. Blair Jr., who |
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assumed the pulpit in 2010; the church has long played a vital role |
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in the community through numerous ministries and outreach programs, |
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including its annual Trustee Rally and Memorial Day celebration; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, For the past century and a half, Bethlehem AME |
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Church has served as a source of inspiration and guidance to those |
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who worship there, and its continued existence is a testament to the |
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unwavering commitment of its members and clergy, both past and |
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present; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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Legislature hereby commemorate the sesquicentennial of Bethlehem |
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African Methodist Episcopal Church and extend to the congregation |
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sincere best wishes for many more years of shared prayer and |
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fellowship; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the church as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives. |