HR1030 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1030 LRB094 19878 HSS 57049 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Walls Memorial Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church was established in 1917 and is celebrating its 89th anniversary; and

WHEREAS, Walls Memorial CME Church was organized with four members; at that time, the church was named Park Avenue CME Church; in 1933, Reverend Albert Webster Walls, the founder, was reassigned to Park Avenue and a new edifice was purchased; and

WHEREAS, Under Reverend Walls' leadership, the church moved again to a new location on Washington Blvd.; Reverend Walls served faithfully for 17 years; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Chester A. Kirkendoll (the 35th Bishop of the CME Church) completed the parsonage of the late Reverend Walls with Reverend J.H. Henderson serving from the fall of 1950 to the summer of 1954; under Pastor Henderson, the Stewardess Board #2, the gospel chorus, and the Board of Christian Education were organized, and a piano and organ were purchased; and

WHEREAS, During the 1950s, many pastors served the Walls family; included in this tenure was the Dr. Kelsey Jones, who served from 1956 to 1959; in 1959, Reverend Julius Clay was appointed and served Walls until 1962; and

WHEREAS, In 1962, Reverend D.E. Fullwood was appointed; the highlight of his 5-year tenure was the purchasing of the first parsonage on Central Park Avenue; in 1967, Reverend R.D. Jackson was appointed pastor and the current house of worship at 200 South Sacramento Boulevard and the 202 South Sacramento properties were secured for $1 through the kind and generous support of the Reverend Dr. Harry Gibson, the United Methodist Church, and the Chicago Home Missionary Society; and

WHEREAS, In August of 1969, Bishop J. Claude Allen appointed Reverend Clarence C. Buchanan to the Walls family; under his leadership, choirs were organized as well as the Board of Evangelism and the Beautifying Club; the highlight of his tenure came with the burning of the church mortgage on March 17, 1974; Pastor Buchanan served until 1982, when the Annual Conference appointed the Reverend John T. Kellman and the Reverend Conway Spears until 1986; and

WHEREAS, In August of 1986, the Annual Conference appointed the Reverend J.J. Jackson III as pastor; under his 8-year tenure, a new parsonage was purchased and the church was refurbished; and

WHEREAS, In 1994, Reverend Dr. Marvin Frank began serving as pastor; he has overseen the establishment of a Retirement Ministry and the Heard-Elders Computer Center, as well as numerous physical improvements to the church; Reverend Frank has worked tirelessly to expand the church's outreach ministry, providing shelter for the homeless, a food pantry, and a clothing bank; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the Walls Memorial Christian Methodist Episcopal Church on its 89th anniversary, and we recognize its significant contributions to the community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the church as an expression of our wishes for its continued growth and success.