HR0700 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0700 LRB096 15153 KXB 30212 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate the pastor and congregation of New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church Worship Center in Chicago on the 75th anniversary of the church and congratulates Senior Pastor Reverend Stephen J. Thurston on his 30th anniversary of pastoral ministry; and

WHEREAS, The church was founded in 1934 by the late Reverend Elijah Thurston; the church was called the 44th Street Baptist Church and was located at 44th & Evans Street; and

WHEREAS, 44th Street Baptist Church was one of the first Black churches in Chicago to have a live radio broadcast; in 1957, the church relocated to 740 East 77th Street, and the name was changed to the New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church; and

WHEREAS, In October of 2008, the church moved into a $12 million sanctuary located at 754 E. 77th, on the corner of 77th Street & Cottage Grove Avenue, enabling the church to better serve the community; and

WHEREAS, The church has the unique distinction of being pastored by a Reverend Thurston for all 75 years of its existence; Reverend Elijah Thurston was succeeded by his son, the late Reverend John L. Thurston; Reverend Stephen J. Thurston is the third generation of Thurstons to pastor the church; his son, Reverend Stephen J. Thurston II, is the current Co-Pastor; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Pastor Thurston on his anniversary and the New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church members on the anniversary of the church; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to Reverend Stephen Thurston and the congregation of New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church Worship Center as symbols of our respect and esteem.