HR0440 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0440 LRB096 12175 GRL 24554 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate the congregation of the East Park Baptist Church in Decatur on the occasion of the church's 100th anniversary; and

WHEREAS, The East Park Baptist Church began as a Sunday school in the late 1880s; the school was led by Mr. and Mrs. J.T. Owens, who ran the school in a small building at 1653 East Main Street; the school flourished, outgrowing its first meeting place within the first four years; in 1891, the school moved to a newly built chapel at the northern end of East Prairie Avenue's 1700 block thanks to the efforts of the Ladies' Aid society of First Baptist Church; and

WHEREAS, The First Baptist Church's pastors continued their support of the ministry of the East Park Sunday School, which led to the East Park Baptist Church's incorporation as an independent church on April 18, 1909; in 1914, a basement was dug out to make room for additional Sunday school rooms; and

WHEREAS, The East Park Baptist Church grew steadily, with attendance topping 650 by 1927; the church's Sunday school attendance saw its peak of 1,242 on December 20, 1931; by the early 1950s, the church has built a new building for the church; and

WHEREAS, In 1970, the East Park Baptist Church added a Christian School onto its property; in 1997, the church relocated to a more suitable property and a new building; and

WHEREAS, The East Park Baptist Church has served as a beacon of faith and integrity for the citizens of the City of Decatur and the State of Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the congregation of the East Park Baptist Church on the occasion of the church's 100th anniversary and wish them continued success and happiness in their future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Ryan Banman, Senior Pastor of the East Park Baptist Church, as a symbol of our respect and esteem.