HR0649 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0649 LRB096 14865 KXB 29731 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate the pastor and congregation of Central Christian Church in Decatur on the 175th anniversary of the church; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Joseph Hostetler organized a small group of parishioners into the Christian Church of Macon County in 1834; the church first met in Macon County's log cabin courthouse; and

WHEREAS, In 1855 a new church building was erected on the corner of Main and North Streets; by 1893 the membership had grown and the congregation moved to North Edward Street; a new church was built in 1905 at Edward and William Streets and the present building had its cornerstone laid in 1955; and

WHEREAS, Charles Watkins has been senior pastor since 1992; he notes that the church is the eighth largest contributor in the Disciples of Christ denomination and the twentieth largest congregation in the country; and

WHEREAS, Several members of Central Christian Church were recently honored for their longstanding membership, including Ruth Ewing, Dorthy Dakan, Billie Harmon, Helen Brobst, George and Patricia Kuhns, and Barbara Ray Tyler; and

WHEREAS, The church anniversary was celebrated in September; October will host a celebration of 175 years of music, November will celebrate 175 years of service, and December will be special with a celebration of 175 years of Christmas at Central Christian Church; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the pastor and congregation of Central Christian Church and wish them the best for their future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Pastor Charles Watkins as a symbol of our respect and esteem.