HR1457 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1457 LRB095 22019 KXB 52288 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to honor the pastor and congregation of St. John's United Church of Christ in Breese as they celebrate the church's sesquicentennial; and

WHEREAS, St. John's Church was organized in 1858 and was called the "Evangelische St. Johannes Gemeinde"; in the summer of 1858 the first framed church building was erected; and

WHEREAS, The first services were held in the homes of the early settlers in Breese and conducted by the people themselves; in the spring of 1859 Reverend Christepler F. Starck was called and became the first resident pastor; in addition to serving the people of Breese, he also served in Trenton, Carlyle, Central City, and other neighboring communities; and

WHEREAS, In 1861 the first parsonage was built at the cost of $600; over the years new pastors would come and go, buildings would be updated or rebuilt, and changes would come to the church, but their mission of serving the community would not change; and

WHEREAS, St. John's continues to be a vital part of the community; they are involved with the House of Manna, the local food pantry, and organize a vacation bible school for the community; they participate in a yearly ecumenical service with other churches in Breese and Beckemeyer; and they deliver dinners to their shut-in members on Easter and Thanksgiving; and

WHEREAS, In addition, they walk the Stations of the Cross with local Catholic churches yearly; they send care packages to servicemen and women in Iraq and other overseas areas; they open their church to a local theater group to use as a practice area; and they have built a float along with St. Dominic Church in Breese celebrating both churches' 150th anniversaries; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the church family of St. John's United Church of Christ on this momentous date in their history; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the congregation of St. John's United Church of Christ as a symbol of our respect.