HR1067 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1067 LRB100 21958 MST 39956 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate the Payne Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church on the occasion of its 111th anniversary; and

WHEREAS, Maria Thornton, a member of the Bethel AME Church in Chicago, moved to Chicago Heights in the early 1900s and envisioned establishing a house of worship in her new community; and

WHEREAS, On May 18, 1907, in the home of Hattie Brown, Maria Thornton and Rev. Thesby founded the A.M.E. Church of Chicago Heights; during the first months, the congregation had no regular meeting place and held services from home to home, often in the home of Hattie Brown; the first actual church building was erected in 1908-1909; the church moved into its current location on Easter Sunday in 1925; and

WHEREAS, The Payne Chapel AME Church was the first African American church in the Chicago Heights community; it was built and paid for by local families; and

WHEREAS, For 111 years, the Payne Chapel AME Church has helped the Chicago Heights community through its food pantry, mission donations, clothing drive, and new community focus initiative; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the Payne Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church on its 111th anniversary, and we wish them many more wonderful years; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Payne Chapel AME Church as a symbol of our respect and esteem.