HR0614

LRB095 12757 GRL 38121 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 Mount Emory Baptist Church of Jacksonville on 
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the occasion of its 170th anniversary on July 27, 2007; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Mount Emory Baptist Church is believed to be the 
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oldest Black Baptist Church in Illinois; the church was founded 
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in 1837, when Reverends Samuel Ball and John Livingston met 
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with 7 Christians who desired a church of their own; the first 
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church was known as the Second Baptist Church, but was commonly 
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referred to as "The Colored Missionary Baptist Church"; it was 
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the first black church in Jacksonville and was located in a 
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rented house, which was used as a place of worship until the 
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congregation purchased a lot on Anna Street in 1847;  and

 
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    WHEREAS, Mount Emory Baptist Church's congregation 
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continued to grow during and after the Civil War, with many 
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people migrating from the southern states; in 1867, the 
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overcrowded wooden church was replaced by a 2 story brick 
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structure on the corner of Marion and South Church Streets; the 
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church remained until 1980, when the church was razed and 
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replaced by the current building at the same location; and

 
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    WHEREAS, In its early days, Mount Emory Baptist Church had 
 


 






HR0614
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LRB095 12757 GRL 38121 r




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no regular minister but relied on the services of various 
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preachers for their congregation; Andrew W. Jackson, a local 
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barber, is reputed to have been the first black person to 
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reside in Morgan County; he later joined the church and began 
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studying for the ministry, eventually becoming a pastor for the 
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church; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Mount Emory Baptist Church has been a cornerstone 
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of the religious and civic history of the City of Jacksonville 
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and of the State of Illinois; therefore, be 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 Pastor David L. Stewart and the members  of Mount 
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Emory Baptist Church of Jacksonville on the occasion of its 
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170th anniversary and wish the church continued success in the 
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future; and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That we proclaim August 19, 2007 as Mount Emory 
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Baptist Church Day in the State of Illinois; and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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presented to Mount Emory Baptist Church  Pastor David L. Stewart 
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as a symbol of our esteem and respect.