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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
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Representatives are pleased to congratulate the congregation 
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of the Allen Chapel AME Church in Galesburg on the occasion of 
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the church's 155th anniversary; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The Allen Chapel AME Church was formed in May of 
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1853 by Susan Van Allen Richardson; after attending an African 
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Methodist Episcopal Church Conference in Chicago, she had a 
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vision of an AME church in Galesburg; she formed the Allen 
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Chapel AME Church in her home, naming the church after Richard 
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Allen, the first AME Bishop; and

 
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    WHEREAS, In 1858, the Allen Chapel AME Church purchased 
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their first property for four hundred dollars; constructed of 
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wood, the church was destroyed by fire in the 1870s; the church 
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was then rebuilt by Reverend Charles S. Jacobs, but suffered 
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another fire a few weeks later; not to be overcome by such 
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circumstances, Reverend Charles S. Jacobs and the Allen Chapel 
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AME Church congregation rebuilt the church once again; the new 
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Allen Chapel AME Church building stood until 1911, when the 
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building was remodeled entirely in brick under the direction of 
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the Reverend Timothy Tyler; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Allen Chapel AME Church's current pastor, 
 


 






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Reverend Dr. Leoma Leigh-Williams, is the church's first female 
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pastor in its 155-year history; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The Allen Chapel AME Church holds the distinction 
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of remaining in the same location since the original wooden 
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structure was constructed in the 1800s; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The strong sense of dedication and purpose shared 
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by the congregation of the Allen Chapel AME Church is worthy of 
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the greatest respect; therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
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congratulate the congregation of the Allen Chapel AME Church in 
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Galesburg on the occasion of the church's 155th anniversary and 
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wish them continued success and happiness in the future; and be 
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it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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presented to Reverend Dr. Leoma Leigh-Williams as a symbol of 
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our esteem and respect.