HR0105 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0105 LRB096 04623 KXB 14681 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The First Presbyterian Church of Tolono celebrated its 150th anniversary on June 28, 2008; and

WHEREAS, The Presbyterian Society was formed with 10 members in 1857, meeting in a grain warehouse on East Main Street in Tolono; and

WHEREAS, Services later moved to the bar room of the Marion House, where the whiskey was covered up during the services; and

WHEREAS, In the spring of 1858 the congregation built a $3,000 wood structure; the current stone church was built in 1893 for $5,000; and

WHEREAS, The church has an interesting history; at the beginning of the church and its history, the congregation found itself split over the slavery issue; and in April of 1915, during a struggle to keep liquor out of the village, the minister's house was bombed with dynamite; and

WHEREAS, The church has had many pastors, including two women; today the church membership stands around 85 members; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the pastor, staff, and congregation of the First Presbyterian Church of Tolono on the sesquicentennial anniversary of the church; and be it further

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