HR0595 LRB095 12719 KXB 38051 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3 Representatives are pleased to congratulate the pastor and
4 congregation of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in
5 Massbach as they celebrate 150 years of history; and
 
6     WHEREAS, St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, outside of
7 rural Elizabeth, near the community known as Massbach, is a
8 worshipping community of about 200 people; and
 
9     WHEREAS, Over 150 years ago St. John Evangelical Lutheran
10 Church was just being formed at a place known as "Rush Creek";
11 the pioneers who were the first members met for worship, study,
12 and fellowship in private homes, outdoors under trees, in
13 school houses, or wherever they could; the first house of
14 worship built by the members of St. John was a log structure
15 erected just south of Massbach, in an area that today is the
16 location of the church cemetery; and
 
17     WHEREAS, It is believed that the log church was built in
18 1859, and served the congregation until the membership grew and
19 a new structure was required; in 1900 the first of three frame
20 church buildings was constructed; on July 8, 1913, the first
21 church was struck by lightning, caught fire, and burned to the
22 ground; and
 

 

 

HR0595 - 2 - LRB095 12719 KXB 38051 r

1     WHEREAS, The congregation decided to build a new house of
2 worship, this time in a new location, just north of the village
3 of Massbach; the new church was completed and dedicated in just
4 six months; on April 8, 1922 the church was destroyed by a
5 tornado and the members of the congregation again faced the
6 question of rebuilding; the congregation decided to rebuild,
7 and placed the new church on the same foundation as the
8 previous building; and
 
9     WHEREAS, St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church has
10 withstood much in its 150-year history and the congregation has
11 shown that true faith rebuilds and stands tall; therefore, be
12 it
 
13     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
14 NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
15 congratulate the pastor and congregation of St. John
16 Evangelical Lutheran Church for reaching this milestone in the
17 church's history and wish them nothing but the best for the
18 church's future; and be it further
 
19     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
20 presented to Reverend Steven Andersen as a symbol of our
21 respect.