HR1256LRB097 23158 GRL 71980 r


  
1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
3Representatives are pleased to congratulate the congregation 
4of Salem First Baptist Church on the occasion of the church's 
5175th anniversary; and
  
 
6    WHEREAS, The beginnings of Salem First Baptist Church can 
7be traced to the ministry of Dr. John Mason Peck, who, in 1832, 
8first visited Salem in order to establish "a Sunday school in 
9these parts"; and
  
 
10    WHEREAS, Despite being chased by dogs and being met with 
11bitter antagonism from natives, Dr. Peck returned months later 
12and secured permission to conduct a Baptist Sunday school 
13organizational meeting in the county's log courthouse; and
  
 
14    WHEREAS, On November 9, 1837, Dr. Peck, W.F. Boyakin, 
15Nathan Arnot, and Mary P. Rand held an organizational meeting, 
16where Salem First Baptist Church was organized with 12 charter 
17members; and
  
 
18    WHEREAS, The founders of Salem First Baptist Church have 
19passed down a rich heritage of people willing to meet a 
20challenge through shared sacrifice; and
  
 
 
 
HR1256- 2 -LRB097 23158 GRL 71980 r

1    WHEREAS, Salem First Baptist Church has the vision to 
2become a growing family of committed believers with an 
3increasing passion for God, passion for people, passion for 
4spiritual maturity, and a passion to serve; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Salem First Baptist Church will celebrate their 
6175th anniversary on October 6 and October 7, 2012, while 
7glancing gratefully to the past and looking prayerfully to the 
8future; 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 Salem First Baptist Church 
12on their 175th anniversary and wish them all the best in the 
13future; and be it further
  
 
14    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
15presented to Salem First Baptist Church as a symbol of our 
16respect and esteem.