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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The members of First Lutheran Church of Galveston |
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are marking the 175th anniversary of their church's founding in |
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2025; and |
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WHEREAS, Originally known as First German Evangelical |
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Lutheran Church, this venerable house of worship was founded by |
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German immigrants in 1850, and it received its charter from the |
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State of Texas in the fall of 1851; as no public school existed in |
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Galveston at the time, the church stepped in to educate the children |
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of the community by establishing its own school in the city's Lyceum |
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Hall that same year; the church later purchased the structure and |
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relocated it to its property; and |
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WHEREAS, In 1900, much of Galveston Island was leveled by a |
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hurricane; in the wake of this disaster of historic magnitude, the |
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church opened its doors to shelter displaced members of the |
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community; its sanctuary and lyceum, severely damaged by the storm, |
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were later restored, and they continue to be used today for |
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celebrations and events; and |
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WHEREAS, After World War II, the church adopted its current |
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name and ceased using the German language in its worship services; |
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despite this shift, the church continues to proudly honor its |
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German roots through its nationally recognized Oktoberfest event, |
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which draws visitors from all over the country and helps support its |
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mission and preservation efforts; in 1984, the church was entered |
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into the National Register of Historic Places and was recognized as |
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the oldest Lutheran parish of German origin with a continuous |
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ministry in Texas; and |
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WHEREAS, Since its organization, First Lutheran Church of |
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Galveston has benefited from the dedicated efforts of many |
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outstanding clergy, and today that legacy is carried forward by the |
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Reverend Richard Rhoades; members of this notable house of worship |
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have established a variety of commendable programs that foster |
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fellowship and offer help to those in need, including Feed |
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Galveston and Fanfare! Lutheran Music Academy; and |
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WHEREAS, Generations of Texans have looked to First Lutheran |
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Church of Galveston for guidance, inspiration, and hope over the |
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course of its long history, and it is a pleasure to recognize the |
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abiding faith and commitment of those who have sustained the church |
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across three centuries; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas |
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Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby commemorate the 175th |
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anniversary of First Lutheran Church of Galveston and extend to the |
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congregation sincere best wishes for many more years of shared |
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prayer and 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. |