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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3 Representatives are pleased to congratulate the congregation
4 of the Church of the Living God C.W.F.F. Temple #46 in Decatur
5 on the occasion of the church's 100th anniversary in 2009; and
 
6     WHEREAS, The rich history of the Church of the Living God
7 C.W.F.F. Temple #46 began in 1909, when Sister Nannie Turnbo
8 visited her family in Terre Haute, Indiana; after attending a
9 revival held on the street where she heard Evangelist Rosie
10 Goode and Elder E.T. Webb preach, she returned to Decatur and
11 talked with others about having the church come to Decatur;
12 that same year, Evangelist Queen Hawkins went to Decatur and
13 held services in Central Park; and
 
14     WHEREAS, Inspired by Evangelist Hawkins and dedicated to
15 making their own temple, the charter members of the Church
16 began meeting together; during the group's early days, church
17 services were held in members' houses until a makeshift
18 sanctuary was created within Central Park; under the leadership
19 of Evangelist Hawkins, the congregation of the church grew and
20 the members decided to rent a building that once belonged to
21 the Church of the Brethren; and
 
22     WHEREAS, Due to the poor condition of the church's

 

 

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1 building, it was decided by the members of the Church to move
2 to the Hod Carriers Hall, a building that required members to
3 travel up 3 flights of stairs; after the church's membership
4 began to decline, services were once again held at members'
5 houses until a replacement dwelling could be found; later, the
6 church found a building on Franklin Street, where the
7 congregation remained until it moved to 325 E. Macon Street
8 (now 400 S. Franklin); around this time, the church acquired
9 its first pastor, Rev. Tilton McKinney; and
 
10     WHEREAS, After the passing of Rev. McKinney, the members of
11 the Church found a new pastor, Rev. Hendershott; under Rev.
12 Hendershott's leadership, the church purchased 2 houses on the
13 corner of Macon and Franklin Streets, which were remodeled many
14 times; in 1968, the church broke ground on a new church
15 building, where the church has held services ever since; and
 
16     WHEREAS, In 1959, Bishop E.A. Morgan became the spiritual
17 leader of the Church; under his leadership, the church grew and
18 prospered with the addition of new properties and extensive
19 renovations to the church, the dedication of the church's
20 balcony and repository, and the construction of the church's
21 parking lot; Rev. Morgan served the church faithfully until his
22 passing in March of 2006; and
 
23     WHEREAS, In 2003, Bishop Morgan was succeeded by Elder

 

 

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1 Elston Carter; during his tenure, Elder Carter has worked to
2 strengthen and encourage the Youth Department, the Out-Reach
3 Ministry, the Bible Study groups, and the Family Life and
4 Marriage Ministries; and
 
5     WHEREAS, The Church of the Living God C.W.F.F. Temple #46
6 has hosted many Second District Conventions, Spring Musicals,
7 National Y.P.P.U. events, Sunday School Councils, and Women's
8 Conferences; the church has also inspired 11 men and 2 women to
9 become pastors and leaders of other churches throughout the
10 nation; and
 
11     WHEREAS, The Church of the Living God C.W.F.F. Temple #46
12 serves as a model of piety, charity, and community involvement
13 for the people of the State of Illinois; therefore, be it
 
14     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
15 NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
16 congratulate the congregation of the Church of the Living God
17 C.W.F.F. Temple #46 on the occasion of the church's 100th
18 anniversary and wish them continued success and happiness in
19 the future; and be it further
 
20     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
21 presented to the congregation of the Church of the Living God
22 C.W.F.F. Temple #46 as a symbol of our esteem and respect.