HR0614 LRB095 12757 GRL 38121 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3 Representatives are pleased to congratulate the pastor and
4 congregation of Mount Emory Baptist Church of Jacksonville on
5 the occasion of its 170th anniversary on July 27, 2007; and
 
6     WHEREAS, Mount Emory Baptist Church is believed to be the
7 oldest Black Baptist Church in Illinois; the church was founded
8 in 1837, when Reverends Samuel Ball and John Livingston met
9 with 7 Christians who desired a church of their own; the first
10 church was known as the Second Baptist Church, but was commonly
11 referred to as "The Colored Missionary Baptist Church"; it was
12 the first black church in Jacksonville and was located in a
13 rented house, which was used as a place of worship until the
14 congregation purchased a lot on Anna Street in 1847; and
 
15     WHEREAS, Mount Emory Baptist Church's congregation
16 continued to grow during and after the Civil War, with many
17 people migrating from the southern states; in 1867, the
18 overcrowded wooden church was replaced by a 2 story brick
19 structure on the corner of Marion and South Church Streets; the
20 church remained until 1980, when the church was razed and
21 replaced by the current building at the same location; and
 
22     WHEREAS, In its early days, Mount Emory Baptist Church had

 

 

HR0614 - 2 - LRB095 12757 GRL 38121 r

1 no regular minister but relied on the services of various
2 preachers for their congregation; Andrew W. Jackson, a local
3 barber, is reputed to have been the first black person to
4 reside in Morgan County; he later joined the church and began
5 studying for the ministry, eventually becoming a pastor for the
6 church; and
 
7     WHEREAS, Mount Emory Baptist Church has been a cornerstone
8 of the religious and civic history of the City of Jacksonville
9 and of the State of Illinois; therefore, be it
 
10     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
11 NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
12 congratulate Pastor David L. Stewart and the members of Mount
13 Emory Baptist Church of Jacksonville on the occasion of its
14 170th anniversary and wish the church continued success in the
15 future; and be it further
 
16     RESOLVED, That we proclaim August 19, 2007 as Mount Emory
17 Baptist Church Day in the State of Illinois; and be it further
 
18     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
19 presented to Mount Emory Baptist Church Pastor David L. Stewart
20 as a symbol of our esteem and respect.