HR1374 LRB095 21632 KXB 51758 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 Original Providence Baptist Church, located in
5 the Austin community on the westside of Chicago, on the
6 occasion of the 145th anniversary of the church; and
 
7     WHEREAS, Original Providence Baptist Church will celebrate
8 this anniversary on June 21 and June 22, 2008; and
 
9     WHEREAS, The church was founded in 1863 as an endeavor of
10 black people with a dream; the church began on North Irving
11 Avenue as the fulfillment of hopes and dreams of twelve
12 fugitives from slavery; and
 
13     WHEREAS, In 1911 a large and more commodious edifice was
14 erected at 217 North Leavitt; the church moved from North
15 Leavitt Street in 1957 to West Jackson Boulevard, then to West
16 Washington Street, and finally to the current location at 515
17 North Pine Avenue; and
 
18     WHEREAS, Original Providence Baptist Church stands as a
19 monument to the cause of Baptists in the immediate community
20 and in the City of Chicago; it is the hope of the church that
21 this present generation will evaluate with care the spiritual

 

 

HR1374 - 2 - LRB095 21632 KXB 51758 r

1 legacy that has come from the distant past; and
 
2     WHEREAS, Original Providence Baptist Church has had some of
3 the finest men in the world serve as pastor; the current pastor
4 is also the first female pastor of the church, Reverend Beverly
5 Finley-Gardner; and
 
6     WHEREAS, Through the leadership of these theologians and
7 the willingness of the members of the church to follow, the
8 congregation has built a background for the church and the
9 city, which justifies their recognition of 145 years of service
10 in the advancement of the Kingdom of the Glory to God;
11 therefore, be it
 
12     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
13 NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
14 congratulate the pastor and congregation of Original
15 Providence Baptist Church and wish them continual blessings as
16 they minister to the people of the Austin community and
17 Chicago; and be it further
 
18     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
19 presented to the pastor and congregation of Original Providence
20 Baptist Church as a symbol of our respect.