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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The members of Antioch Baptist Church in Freestone |
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County are celebrating the 150th anniversary of their church's |
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founding in 2021; and |
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WHEREAS, The congregation was established as Antioch Baptist |
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Church of Christ in 1871 under its first pastor, the Reverend John |
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Webb, who is buried on the grounds; in the early decades, a circuit |
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preacher held services once a month, and in 1953, regular weekly |
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services began; and |
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WHEREAS, The church's original sanctuary was a plain, |
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box-like structure heated by wood-burning stoves, and it also |
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served as a school until a proper schoolhouse was built nearby; the |
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grounds featured willow brush arbors that were eventually replaced |
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with a pavilion that was used for revival meetings and outdoor |
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services; over the years, the rebuilding and renovation of the |
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church has been financed by such community efforts as planting and |
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harvesting cotton, as well as selling chickens, eggs, quilts, and |
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boxed dinners; and |
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WHEREAS, Since its organization, Antioch Baptist Church has |
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benefited from the dedicated efforts of a number of outstanding |
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clergy, including Pastor Cody Craig, who leads the congregation |
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today; united by their shared faith and strong traditions, the |
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members of this notable house of worship have established a variety |
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of commendable programs that foster fellowship and offer help to |
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those in need; and |
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WHEREAS, Countless residents of Fairfield and Freestone |
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County have looked to Antioch Baptist Church for spiritual guidance |
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through the years, and it is a pleasure to join in honoring the |
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church at this special time in its rich history; now, therefore, be |
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it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas |
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Legislature hereby commemorate the 150th anniversary of Antioch |
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Baptist Church and extend to the congregation sincere best wishes |
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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 Texas |
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House of Representatives. |