HR1209 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1209 LRB094 20284 HSS 58298 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The First Christian Church of Villa Grove will celebrate its 100th anniversary this year; and

WHEREAS, The conclusion of a five week revival that began on May 11, 1906, saw the beginning of the Villa Grove Christian Church with 67 charter members; Evangelist Harold E. Monser was employed by the Sixth District Board of the Illinois Christian Missionary Society to hold these meetings; the first week of meetings were held in the center room of the Lawrence building; the remaining meetings were held in a tent erected on a vacant lot; a unique and modern addition to this tent meeting was the use of electric lights; and

WHEREAS, On June 24, 1906, the new church met for the first time in Gamin's Hall with Dr. J.E. Powell of Bloomington delivering the sermon; on Sunday, July 29, Rev. Monser returned to preach at a service held in a tent on newly acquired property at the corner of Pine and Monroe Streets; this location would be the future site of a new church building; on October 3, 1907, the congregation called Robert L. Cartwright of Herrin to serve in a permanent capacity as minister; he would have a dual position as minister at Villa Grove and at Longview, preaching at each location on alternate Sundays; and

WHEREAS, Ground was broken on July 16, 1908, for the new church building; construction began immediately and by October 27, 1908, the cornerstone was ceremoniously laid by Elder Matt Benge, a member and leader in the church and a local builder who designed and oversaw the construction of the new building; by December, 1908, the congregation began meeting in the basement of the unfinished church; and

WHEREAS, On Sunday, May 2, 1909, the newly completed church building was dedicated with services held throughout the day; in September, 1940, a parsonage was purchased at 5 South Pine; in 1951, the first major repairs and remodeling of the original church building were completed; in 1954, a basement on the east side of the building was constructed with the upper east annex being added in 1957; this addition was dedicated on June 23, 1957; in 1963, a new parsonage was built in the McCoy Subdivision, and the old parsonage was used for Sunday School classrooms; and

WHEREAS, In the mid 1970s, a decision was made to build a new church building; in 1977, five and one half acres of land were purchased for the proposed building; on March 7, 1979, the original building was sold; during the construction period, worship services were held in the Gem Theatre with Sunday School being held in the theatre, the old parsonage, and the temporary church office on East Adams Street; and

WHEREAS, Ground breaking services for the new church building were held on May 2, 1979, and building began on June 8, 1979, with Zion Church Builders supervising the construction; the first worship service in the new building was held on Sunday, January 20, 1980, with the dedication service on Sunday, April 20, 1980; in 1985, the auditorium was enlarged to increase seating and provide more adult Sunday School area; the new addition was dedicated on May 4, 1986; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the First Christian Church of Villa Grove on the occasion of its 100th anniversary; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the First Christian Church of Villa Grove as an expression of our esteem and with best wishes for the future.