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SENATE RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, For 175 years, area residents have come together |
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to celebrate their faith at First Baptist Church Gilmer, and the |
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passage of this milestone anniversary offers a welcome |
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opportunity to celebrate the congregation's rich history; and |
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WHEREAS, First Baptist Church Gilmer traces its origins |
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back to 1846, when its charter members met in a log cabin near |
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North Montgomery Street; in 1870, the congregation relocated to a |
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frame building on Titus Street, and in 1896, the church |
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constructed a red brick building on the southeast corner of |
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Buffalo and Trinity Streets; the current sanctuary on Buffalo |
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Street was dedicated in 1969; and |
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WHEREAS, In the early decades, a visiting preacher led |
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services every other week, and in 1903, First Baptist began |
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holding services every Sunday; the church has benefited from the |
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dedicated efforts of a number of outstanding clergy through the |
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years, including its first full-time pastor, the Reverend J. L. |
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Mahan; today, that tradition of service is continued by Pastor |
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Mike Kessler, who has led the congregation since 2017; united by |
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their shared faith, the church's members have established a |
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variety of commendable programs that foster fellowship and offer |
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help to those in need; and |
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WHEREAS, While this venerable church has undergone |
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numerous changes to accommodate the evolving needs of the |
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congregation, it remains a constant and enduring presence in |
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Gilmer, and many who have worshipped there have experienced a |
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renewal of their faith and the welcoming embrace of a caring |
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community; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 87th Texas Legislature, |
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3rd Called Session, hereby commemorate the 175th anniversary of |
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First Baptist Church Gilmer and extend to the congregation |
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sincere best wishes for the future; 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 |
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Texas Senate. |