HR1374

LRB095 21632 KXB 51758 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 Original Providence Baptist Church, located in 
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the Austin community on the westside of Chicago, on the 
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occasion of the 145th anniversary of the church; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Original Providence Baptist Church will celebrate 
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this anniversary on June 21 and June 22, 2008; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The church was founded in 1863 as an endeavor of 
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black people with a dream; the church began on North Irving 
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Avenue as the fulfillment of hopes and dreams of twelve 
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fugitives from slavery; and

 
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    WHEREAS, In 1911 a large and more commodious edifice was 
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erected at 217 North Leavitt; the church moved from North 
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Leavitt Street in 1957 to West Jackson Boulevard, then to West 
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Washington Street, and finally to the current location at 515 
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North Pine Avenue; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Original Providence Baptist Church stands as a 
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monument to the cause of Baptists in the immediate community 
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and in the City of Chicago; it is the hope of the church that 
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this present generation will evaluate with care the spiritual 
 


 






HR1374
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LRB095 21632 KXB 51758 r




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legacy that has come from the distant past; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Original Providence Baptist Church has had some of 
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the finest men in the world serve as pastor; the current pastor 
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is also the first female pastor of the church, Reverend Beverly 
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Finley-Gardner; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Through the leadership of these theologians and 
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the willingness of the members of the church to follow, the 
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congregation has built a background for the church and the 
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city, which justifies their recognition of 145 years of service 
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in the advancement of the Kingdom of the Glory to God; 
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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 the pastor and congregation of Original 
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Providence Baptist Church and wish them continual blessings as 
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they minister to the people of the Austin community and 
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Chicago; and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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presented to the pastor and congregation of Original Providence 
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Baptist Church as a symbol of our respect.