HR0595

LRB095 12719 KXB 38051 r






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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
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Representatives are pleased to congratulate the pastor and 
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congregation of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in 
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Massbach as they celebrate 150 years of history; and

 
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    WHEREAS, St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, outside of 
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rural Elizabeth, near the community known as Massbach, is a 
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worshipping community of about 200 people; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Over 150 years ago St. John Evangelical Lutheran 
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Church was just being formed at a place known as "Rush Creek"; 
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the pioneers who were the first members met for worship, study, 
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and fellowship in private homes, outdoors under trees, in 
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school houses, or wherever they could; the first house of 
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worship built by the members of St. John was a log structure 
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erected
just south of Massbach, in an area that today is the 
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location of the church cemetery; and

 
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    WHEREAS, It is believed that the log church was built in 
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1859, and served the congregation until the membership grew and 
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a new structure was required; in 1900 the first of three frame 
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church buildings was constructed; on July 8, 1913, the first 
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church was struck by lightning, caught fire, and burned to the 
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ground; and

 
 


 






HR0595
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LRB095 12719 KXB 38051 r




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    WHEREAS, The congregation decided to build a new house of 
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worship, this time in a new location, just north of the village 
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of Massbach; the new church was completed and dedicated in just 
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six months; on April 8, 1922 the church was destroyed by a 
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tornado and the members of the congregation again faced the 
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question of rebuilding; the congregation decided to rebuild, 
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and placed the new church on the same foundation as the 
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previous building; and

 
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    WHEREAS, St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church has 
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withstood much in its 150-year history and the congregation has 
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shown that true faith rebuilds and stands tall; therefore, be 
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it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
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congratulate the pastor and congregation of St. John 
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Evangelical Lutheran Church for reaching this milestone in the 
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church's history and wish them nothing but the best for the 
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church's  future; and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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presented to Reverend Steven Andersen as a symbol of our 
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respect.