HR1484 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1484 LRB095 22191 KXB 52497 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The First Presbyterian Church of Chicago will be 175 years old on October 14, 2008; and

WHEREAS, The pastor and congregation of First Presbyterian Church will celebrate on October 11, 2008 at the International house at the University of Chicago; and

WHEREAS, The First Presbyterian Church of Chicago laid the foundation of the church on June 26, 1833 in the carpentry shop of the second Fort Dearborn on the south bank of the Chicago River; the young parishioners were led by Reverend Jeremiah Porter, who encouraged the new church family to work toward temperance and to avoid profanity and cursing; and

WHEREAS, The first building, located on the corner of Clark and Lake Streets, served as a town hall, an arena used for debates, a venue for Chicago's first amateur concerts, and as host of the Chicago Lyceum, center of the village's cultural life; the church's Ladies Aid Society funded the first 18 months salary of Miss Eliza Chappel, the first public school teacher in Chicago and eventually the bride of Reverend Porter; and

WHEREAS, The church withstood only a part of the Great Chicago Fire in 1871, with only the official records, the communion service, the library, and the spirit of the congregation of the church intact; the church made its current location, at 64th Street and Kimbark Avenue; home on October 14, 1928; and

WHEREAS, The church has remained committed to the neighborhood of Woodlawn throughout the years, with after school programs, a community garden, the reestablishment of the Woodlawn Ministerial Alliance, and a weekly Food For Life program that feeds about 300 meals each week; and

WHEREAS, The First Presbyterian Church of Chicago is currently being served by interim pastor, Reverend James Roghair; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the pastor and congregation of First Presbyterian at this special time; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented the congregation of First Presbyterian Church of Chicago as a symbol of our respect.