HR1615 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1615 LRB095 22574 GRL 52969 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate the congregation of the Dutchtown Church of the Brethren on the occasion of the church's 150th anniversary on September 20, 2008; and

WHEREAS, The Milledgeville Church of the Brethren was first organized in the fall of 1858 by a group of Pennsylvania Dutch who had settled in the area; after purchasing land from the government for $1.50 an acre, a Love Feast was held at the church's inaugural organization meeting; the church originally consisted of 30 charter members; charter member Henry Myers, originally from Maryland, was instrumental in organizing the church, with him and his family traveling by horse and wagon, a cargo boat, and train to get to Dutchtown; and

WHEREAS, The Dutchtown Church of the Brethren's first church services were held in Henry Myers' home and later were held in a schoolhouse; around the year of 1860, the ground was dedicated for the first dedicated church and cemetery, with the church building finished in 1866; the church that was first built, a 30 by 66 foot building, still stands to this day with some additions, namely a remodeling project in 1915, another extensive remodeling project in 1955, and a remodeling project currently in progress; and

WHEREAS, Today, the Dutchtown Church of the Brethren serves families from the areas of Milledgeville, Shannon, Lanark, Chadwick, Sterling, Polo, and Rock Falls; the church has a strong ministry for children and youth, as well as junior and senior high youth groups; the church also has church camp services, coffee hours on Sundays, choir services, group meals, a Young at Heart class that meets regularly and invites those who do not attend church, the Women of Dutchtown Banquet, and traveling groups that help rebuild homes that have been ruined in natural disasters, all led by the church's current pastor, Pastor Rick Koch; and

WHEREAS, The Dutchtown Church of the Brethren serves as a model of piety, charity, and community involvement for the people of the State of Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the congregation of the Dutchtown Church of the Brethren on the occasion of the church's 150th anniversary and wish them continued success and happiness in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Dutchtown Church of the Brethren as a symbol of our esteem and respect.