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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 765
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WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to |
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recognize Grace Methodist Church in Hearne on the grand occasion |
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of its 150th anniversary; and |
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WHEREAS, Church members are gathering to commemorate this |
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historic event with a special celebration in 2020; and |
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WHEREAS, The church's history begins in 1870 with Horace |
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Bishop, a Methodist minister, who came to Hearne and rented a |
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room at the hotel; the following day he was visited by three |
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sisters, Mrs. Wash Hearne, Mrs. Charles Lewis, and Aunt Rhoda, |
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who were former Methodists; although the ladies were not |
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optimistic about building a Methodist church in the town, a |
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congregation was started on the second floor of Joe Lambert's |
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saloon with the help of two gentlemen, Jonathon Gideon Wilkerson |
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and Nathan Kilgore; and |
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WHEREAS, The members of the congregation built a church |
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building of their own in 1885, but they soon had to rebuild after |
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a devastating fire, and they also contended with a storm that |
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moved the church off its foundations; new pillars were put under |
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the building where it stood after the storm, three feet to the |
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south of its original location, and First Methodist Episcopal |
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Church South was allowed to remain on that spot; and |
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WHEREAS, As the church membership grew, changes were made |
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to the original structure; the present sanctuary was built in |
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1929, and the Memorial Building was erected in 1976; the name of |
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the church was changed in 1948 to Grace United Methodist Church |
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and again, in 1968, to Grace Methodist Church; and |
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WHEREAS, The rich heritage of Grace Methodist Church |
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reflects the dedication by its members of their talents, vision, |
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wisdom, and selfless service to others; and |
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WHEREAS, Grace Methodist Church has provided a place of |
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worship for generations of faithful Christians and has played a |
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significant role in the continuing growth and development of the |
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city; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th |
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Legislature, hereby commend the congregation of Grace Methodist |
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Church in Hearne and extend best wishes for a joyful celebration |
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of the church's 150th anniversary. |
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Schwertner |
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________________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that the |
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above Resolution was adopted by |
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the Senate on May 17, 2019. |
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________________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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________________________________ |
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Member, Texas Senate |