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HR1333 |
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LRB094 20612 HSS 58925 r |
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| HOUSE RESOLUTION
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| WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives of the |
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| State of Illinois are pleased to recognize the 160th |
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| anniversary of Salem Baptist Church; and
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| WHEREAS, Salem Baptist Church was organized in 1846 as |
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| Salem Separate Baptist Church with 40 members, and Elder Robert |
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| Henson was elected as the first pastor; ground for the church |
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| building was donated by Mr. Lewis Ward, a deacon, and the first |
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| services in that building were held in May of 1857; and
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| WHEREAS, From 1906 to 1916, no services were held in the |
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| church, and in September of 1916, the church began holding |
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| Sunday School again; and
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| WHEREAS, In 1922, a new building was completed at a cost of |
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| $5,000, with members completing most of the work, and in 1929, |
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| electric lights were installed; and
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| WHEREAS, The church really began to grow under the |
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| leadership of Russell Pittman, who was called to be the pastor |
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| in 1967; during his pastorate, the church purchased 35 acres, |
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| became an Independent Baptist Church, and a gymnasium and |
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| church were built on the new property; in 1980, the church |
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| moved into the new building; and
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| WHEREAS, The church averages around 350 in Sunday School |
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| and a few more for worship services with a high attendance day |
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| of 1,100; the church has the largest bus ministry in the area |
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| with five bus routes and a van route; other ministries include |
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| Sunday School for all age groups; a Children's Church; King's |
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| Kids on Wednesday evenings; Joshua Men's Fellowship; |
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| Homebuilders, a ministry for married couples; a Youth Ministry; |
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| a Music Ministry; a Senior Saints Ministry; a Soul Winning |
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| Ministry; a Young Married Couples Ministry; a Singles Ministry; |