HR1340

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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 congregation 
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and staff of Bethel A.M.E. Church in Chicago on their 148th 
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anniversary; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, Bethel was formally organized as a Mission by 
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Bishop William Paul Quinn in April of 1862; overcrowding at 
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Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church led to the organization of Bethel; 
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Reverend John B. Dawson, a local preacher, was appointed as 
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shepherd of Bethel until a regular minister could be sent; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, In June of 1862 Reverend Eamos McIntosh was 
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assigned as the first pastor; in 1865 the Reverend Frederick 
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Myers held services in Trinity Mission while looking for a new 
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and permanent location for the church; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, In 1870 the main auditorium was completed; the 
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Chicago fire of 1874 destroyed Bethel and services were held in 
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the old Railroad Chapel; in 1875 the second Bethel church 
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building was erected and dedicated under the pastorate of 
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Reverend J.W. Malone; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, Ground was broken in 1890 for the third Bethel 
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building and the cornerstone was laid in September of that 
 


 






HR1340
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LRB096 22614 KXB 41935 r




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year; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, The Federation of Colored Women's Clubs was formed 
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by Mrs. Codelia West and later became a part of the Illinois 
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and National Association of Colored Women; the Afro-American 
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Fellowship movement, under Mrs. Ida B. Wells Barnett began in 
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the Bethel church as well; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Both the Big Sisters Association and the Big 
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Brothers Association were organized at Bethel, leading to the 
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organization of the Southside Boys Club; in September of 1949 
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Dr. C. Baker Pearle completed the church building at its 
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present site and the march and dedication were held on June 10, 
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1951; therefore, be it
  
 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
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congratulate the congregation and staff of Bethel A.M.E. Church 
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on their anniversary and wish them continued success in their 
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ministry; and be it further
  
 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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presented to Reverend Philip L. Ware, current pastor of Bethel 
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A.M.E. Church, as a symbol of our respect and esteem.