HR0440

LRB096 12175 GRL 24554 r






1

HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
2
    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
3
Representatives are pleased to congratulate the congregation 
4
of the East Park Baptist Church in Decatur on the occasion of 
5
the church's 100th anniversary; and

 
6
    WHEREAS, The East Park Baptist Church began as a Sunday 
7
school in the late 1880s; the school was led by Mr. and Mrs. 
8
J.T. Owens, who ran the school in a small building at 1653 East 
9
Main Street; the school flourished, outgrowing its first 
10
meeting place within the first four years; in 1891, the school 
11
moved to a newly built chapel at the northern end of East 
12
Prairie Avenue's 1700 block thanks to the efforts of the 
13
Ladies' Aid society of First Baptist Church; and

 
14
    WHEREAS, The First Baptist Church's pastors continued 
15
their support of the ministry of the East Park Sunday School, 
16
which led to the East Park Baptist Church's incorporation as an 
17
independent church on April 18, 1909; in 1914, a basement was 
18
dug out to make room for additional Sunday school rooms; and

 
19
    WHEREAS, The East Park Baptist Church grew steadily, with 
20
attendance topping 650 by 1927; the church's Sunday school 
21
attendance saw its peak of 1,242 on December 20, 1931; by the 
22
early 1950s, the church has built a new building for the 
 


 






HR0440
- 2 -
LRB096 12175 GRL 24554 r




1
church; and

 
2
    WHEREAS, In 1970, the East Park Baptist Church added a 
3
Christian School onto its property; in 1997, the church 
4
relocated to a more suitable property and a new building; and

 
5
    WHEREAS, The East Park Baptist Church has served as a 
6
beacon of faith and integrity for the citizens of the City of 
7
Decatur and the State of Illinois; therefore, be it

 
8
    RESOLVED, BY THE  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
9
NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
10
congratulate the congregation of the East Park Baptist Church 
11
on the occasion of the church's 100th anniversary and wish them 
12
continued success and happiness in their future endeavors; and 
13
be it further

 
14
    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
15
presented to Ryan Banman, Senior Pastor of the East Park 
16
Baptist Church, as a symbol of our respect and esteem.