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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
3Representatives are pleased to congratulate the congregation 
4of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Freeport on the 
5occasion of the church's 100th anniversary; and
  
 
6    WHEREAS, St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church was 
7established on September 15, 1911; the church was originally a 
8prayer mission run by Sister Sarah Sides in her home; St. Paul 
9was the very first African-American church in Freeport; the 
10church's initial attendees and organizing saints were Mrs. 
11Sides and her family, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Clark, Reverend and 
12Mrs. H. Byrus, and many others; and
  
 
13    WHEREAS, In 1915, St. Paul was given the name Oak Hill 
14Baptist Church; under the leadership of Rev. J.H. Starks, the 
15name was changed to St. Paul Baptist Church; in 1962, while 
16under the pastorate of Robert Huff, the church officially 
17provided the name change of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church; 
18Pastor Huff served St. Paul as a visionary leader; under his 
19leadership, St. Paul moved to its present day location of 
20607-641 East Stephenson Street on Easter Sunday, April 14, 
211968; since that time, St. Paul has erected an educational 
22facility in addition to the sanctuary; and
  
 
 
 
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1    WHEREAS, St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church has served as a 
2beacon of light in Freeport and the surrounding communities; it 
3has provided a mission ministry to young people, the needy, the 
4disenfranchised, and seniors; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Thanks to the dedicated efforts of the 
6congregation of St. Paul, Christian education and Baptist 
7doctrine has been administered, taught, and evangelized within 
8the Freeport community and northwest Illinois; therefore, be it
  
 
9    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
10NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
11we congratulate the congregation of St. Paul Missionary Baptist 
12Church on the occasion of the church's 100th anniversary and 
13wish them continued success and happiness in the future; and be 
14it further
  
 
15    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
16presented to St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church as a symbol of 
17our esteem and respect.