HR0089 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0089 LRB094 06416 HSS 37896 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Lanark is the outgrowth of an organization at Maple Grove four miles east of Lanark; early in 1873 a Rev. Baird, assisted by a Rev. Trimper, conducted a series of meetings and on March 16, 1873, effected an organization with eight members; these eight devoted members held services in the Maple Grove school with Rev. Baird as the acting pastor until November 30, 1873, when Rev. J. Henderson of the Synod of Iowa entered upon his pastoral duties; and

WHEREAS, The prospects of an organization at Lanark being favorable, Rev. Henderson with the help of Rev. P.G. Bell of Polo, organized the first Lutheran church in Lanark; this brother and his work received material encouragement by personal gifts from the Synod of Illinois; this aid was continued until the year 1888 when the church became self-sustaining; and

WHEREAS, The Lanark Lutheran Church was first organized and held worship services in the Congregational Church on December 30, 1874, where 20 people entered their names in the Articles of the Constitution; in 1876 a new church building was erected with a seating capacity of 250, dedicated on January 28, 1877; approximately 300 were in attendance; and

WHEREAS, In May of 1879, the Maple Grove church consolidated with Lanark; the church parsonage was built in 1878, and in 1905 the first building improvement was made; this involved the digging of the basement, turning the church, and adding the belfry (but not bell, it was added in 1921), vestibule, and the Sunday School room; in 1916 another building change was made when twelve feet were added to the south end of the edifice; at this time the floor was elevated, new pews, carpeting, indirect lights, re-furnished chancel, pastor's study constructed, and enlargement of the basement were seen; and

WHEREAS, The pastor's study was removed around 1934, thus enlarging the chancel; the junior choir was organized in 1934, and on February 10, 1935, the first organized senior choir sang; in 1936 Trinity saw the installation of Altar Boys, and in September of 1939, "The Children of the Church" was organized; and

WHEREAS, The year 1944 saw improvements in the church building in the way of asbestos shingles, converting the furnace from coal to oil, and constructing a women's rest room out of the coal bin; in honor of the 75th anniversary of Trinity, the interior of the church was redecorated complete with new red carpeting; and

WHEREAS, Two morning worship services were held during the summer months of 1960; sometime in the 1960s, acolytes, consisting of the church youth, began assisting in the worship service; in 1968 Trinity became a two-point parish, sharing a pastor with Faith Lutheran, Forreston; and

WHEREAS, After smoke damage occurred, the sanctuary of the church was redecorated in 1972, and 1974 was the year baptized members age ten or in the 5th grade were granted the right to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion after receiving the proper instruction; also approved that year was the right for all confirmed young persons under 21 to serve on the council; during the centennial year, the church received another face lift and a celebration was held; and

WHEREAS, Vicars were first introduced to the congregation in 1980, and the 1980s brought about much change in the church; during 1983 and 1984, Trinity decided to return to having a pastor of their own; a woman minister was called to serve Trinity for the first time in 1985; around 1987 the Altar became free-standing with the retable being mounted to the wall; in 1988, The Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) joined together the American Lutheran Church (ALC), Lutheran Church of America (LCA), and the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches (AELC); and

WHEREAS, Reverend Kim Lee Brown was called to be the pastor of Trinity in 1992; she is the longest serving pastor at the church and is starting her thirteenth year of service with the congregation; and

WHEREAS, In 1997 members of Trinity began a dialogue to make Trinity handicapped accessible; a plan was put into action in 1998 with changes made to the east entrance of the church and a new handicapped accessible entrance added, complete with elevator, on the west side of the church; also in 1998, the age level was lowered for students receiving communion for the first time; in 1999, Trinity celebrated it's 125th anniversary; and

WHEREAS, In 2004, Trinity celebrated 130 years of ministry to the people of the Lanark area; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Trinity Lutheran Church of Lanark on 130 years of ministry to the people of the Lanark area; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Trinity Lutheran Church in Lanark as an expression of our respect and esteem.