HR1333 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1333 LRB094 20612 HSS 58925 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives of the State of Illinois are pleased to recognize the 160th anniversary of Salem Baptist Church; and

WHEREAS, Salem Baptist Church was organized in 1846 as Salem Separate Baptist Church with 40 members, and Elder Robert Henson was elected as the first pastor; ground for the church building was donated by Mr. Lewis Ward, a deacon, and the first services in that building were held in May of 1857; and

WHEREAS, From 1906 to 1916, no services were held in the church, and in September of 1916, the church began holding Sunday School again; and

WHEREAS, In 1922, a new building was completed at a cost of $5,000, with members completing most of the work, and in 1929, electric lights were installed; and

WHEREAS, The church really began to grow under the leadership of Russell Pittman, who was called to be the pastor in 1967; during his pastorate, the church purchased 35 acres, became an Independent Baptist Church, and a gymnasium and church were built on the new property; in 1980, the church moved into the new building; and

WHEREAS, The church averages around 350 in Sunday School and a few more for worship services with a high attendance day of 1,100; the church has the largest bus ministry in the area with five bus routes and a van route; other ministries include Sunday School for all age groups; a Children's Church; King's Kids on Wednesday evenings; Joshua Men's Fellowship; Homebuilders, a ministry for married couples; a Youth Ministry; a Music Ministry; a Senior Saints Ministry; a Soul Winning Ministry; a Young Married Couples Ministry; a Singles Ministry; and a Reformers Unanimous Ministry, an addiction abstinence program; and

WHEREAS, The pastor of Salem Baptist Church is Gerald Thompson; Dr. Roger Weldy serves as an Assistant Pastor and Music Director, and Dean Jones is an Assistant Pastor and Youth Director; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize the 160th anniversary of Salem Baptist Church; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Salem Baptist Church as an expression of our esteem.