HR1241 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1241 LRB098 22077 MST 60949 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to recognize significant contributions made by the people and communities of the State; and

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate the Greater New Hope Missionary Baptist Church of East St. Louis on the occasion of its 100th anniversary celebration on October 11, 2014; and

WHEREAS, In 1913, Rev. J.L. McBride, a local minister of the Mount Olive Baptist Church, was asked by that congregation and pastor, Rev. Borders, to begin a mission in the east end section of the city, a section of town predominantly settled with people of Polish descent; Rev. McBride organized a few Christians who were living in this section, with Mount Olive Baptist Church serving as the mother church; and

WHEREAS, These few faithful and loyal members worked untiringly, adding new members to the mission roll during its first year; in 1914, a council was called consisting of pastors and churches; a new church was organized and given the name New Hope; and

WHEREAS, In 1914, New Hope was born; the original church (later known as the Little Hall) was bought by Bro. Marion E. Officer; a new church building was erected in 1916; and

WHEREAS, In 1920, the congregation grew to the point that the building had to be enlarged because of the increase in membership; the remodeling program cost $5,000, and New Hope continued to grow in size, spiritual influence, and physical plant; out of this period of church history came ministers W.P. Alexander and Calvin Fearn, nationally known church missionary Annette Officer, and Rev. J.L. McBride, who served as Moderator of New Salem District Association and Vice-President of the Baptist General State Convention of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Around 1935, a group of young women, spearheaded by Annette Harris Officer, started a building program; she secured the services of the Works Progress Administration, and a partial basement was added; and

WHEREAS, In 1944, the health of Rev. McBride, the first pastor of New Hope, begin to fail; he was retired by the church but continued to attend church and preach when able until his death in 1945; and

WHEREAS, In 1944, Rev. William Peter Alexander was called to become the second pastor of New Hope; the Sunday School and Baptist Training Union were revamped by Rev. Alexander, and a Christian Education Program was initiated; one of its early programs was a foundation to aid in academic education of young people who were members of the church; a tutoring and study hall program was put into operation, and special days to honor high school and college graduates were instituted; State grants were also secured to sponsor summer camps for underprivileged children in the church and community; this activity was spearheaded by Fannie Jones and Bernice Howell for many years; the church progress was natural for Rev. Alexander who was also President of Congress of Christian Education for the Baptist State Convention of Illinois, a post he held for more than 30 years; and

WHEREAS, In 1946, the congregation continued to grow under Rev. Alexander's leadership; the front entrance of the church was changed, a complete basement was built, and it became necessary to enlarge the church again; a new wing was erected and the building was able to seat more than 600 people; and

WHEREAS, On September 14, 1962, one of the founding members, Sis. Jesse B. Petty, suffered a stroke as she sat in her home behind the church and watched a newly renovated New Hope burn for 3 hours as trains prolonged the arrival of additional fire-fighting equipment; the "Friendly Church on The Highway" was destroyed after 48 years of existence; the pastor and more than 500 members were determined to rebuild and set about the business of rebuilding; and

WHEREAS, The present edifice was entered in 1964, incomplete and with a 30-year mortgage; Bro. Marion E. Officer purchased the organ, the stained glass, and other prominences for the church; the church name changed on the occasion of the rebuilding and the present name of Greater New Hope Missionary Baptist was adopted to signify its structural improvement and the magnitude of its members' faith; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Alexander continued as the second pastor of Greater New Hope until becoming infirmed in early 1977 and expiring suddenly on May 31, 1977; he was dubbed the "Dean of Ministers" in East St. Louis; he was a living legend in religious circles and left a legacy of Christian performance to the membership; at the time of his death, he had served as Moderator of the New Salem District for many years, as President of the New Salem Congress for a long tenure, and as President of the Baptist General State Congress of Christian Education until death; he did not live to see the mortgage burned, but his leadership paved the way for the mortgage payments on the edifice to be completed in 17 years; and

WHEREAS, On October 30, 1977, the membership gathered to observe the burning of the 1964 mortgage, paid in full on March 31, 1977 under the pastorate of the beloved late shepherd; his dream and task for Greater New Hope was complete; and

WHEREAS, In 1978, a search for a new minister began; Rev. Richard Temple was placed in charge of the pulpit and remained there from June 1978 until December 1978; and

WHEREAS, On October 18, 1978, Rev. David Crockett was elected pastor of Greater New Hope Missionary Baptist Church; he accepted this position on November 18, 1978 and began duties as pastor on December 4, 1978; and

WHEREAS, On February 25, 1979, Rev. David Crockett was installed as the fourth pastor of Greater New Hope Missionary Baptist Church and presently holds this position; under his leadership in 1982, the Awards and Recognition Committees were organized, and, in 1983, 26 members received Golden Leaves for longevity of 70 years and older; 23 members called Foundation Stone with 50 years of continuous membership were honored; and members having from 25 to 50 years of continuous membership were recognized; the oldest female was Sis. Mattie Thigpen who was 96 years old, joining in 1916 and staying a continuous member for 71 years; the oldest male was Bro. Eli Porter Turnage who joined New Hope in 1922 and had been a continuous member for 65 years; and

WHEREAS, Presently, Rev. Crockett has served as pastor of Greater New Hope Missionary Baptist for over 35 years and has instituted the idea of total membership involvement, re-emphasizing the need for a christian educated congregation, and has focused on a total ministry to include children, youth, young adults, older adults, and seniors; the church is blessed with a bus and van for those without transportation to church; a tape ministry to record worship for the sick and shut-in is also available; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Crockett envisions the Greater New Hope Missionary Baptist Church as a focal point of evangelism in the community; and

WHEREAS, Greater New Hope Missionary Baptist Church has been a beacon of light in the community for l00 years and should be commended for its untiring, dedicated work and services; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Greater New Hope Missionary Baptist Church of East St. Louis on the occasion of its 100th anniversary celebration on October 11, 2014; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Greater New Hope Baptist Church as an expression of our esteem and respect.