HR0857 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0857 LRB095 14988 GRL 40939 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate the congregation of the St. Peter African Methodist Episcopal Church on the occasion of the church's 150th anniversary; and

WHEREAS, The St. Peter African Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in May 1857 by Rev. Philip Ward and Rev. E. C. Joyner in the old Masonic Temple on the corners of North Park and North Water Streets in Decatur; the church had 8 charter members and with a 3-member trustee board, which was elected in 1864; and

WHEREAS, The St. Peter A.M.E. Church's first building was completed in 1865 on 2 lots located on the east side of Greenwood Avenue, running east to South Main Street in Decatur; after the original building burned down, a second church was built on the same site, followed by a third; a fourth church was later built to accommodate a school due to a lack of State or City provisions for the education of black children; the school which was formerly conducted at Antioch Baptist Church was moved to St. Peter's in 1865, remaining there until integrated schools were opened in 1874; the church's first Sunday School was organized in 1866; and

WHEREAS, The Reverend J. H. Sydes arrived in Decatur in 1918; soon after his arrival, he began a building fund for a new St. Peter church; the new church building was dedicated by Bishop W.T. Vernon in September of 1927; the last bank note due on the church building was paid in June 1945 from money raised under the leadership of Reverend H. J. Parker; and

WHEREAS, Under the direction of Reverend Readye, St. Peter A.M.E. Church became actively involved in the Decatur community, with Reverend Readye becoming the first African-American member of the Decatur Board of Education and the Association of Commerce; and

WHEREAS, The Reverend William Newell Guy came to St. Peter A.M.E. Church as pastor in 1960; under his leadership, the church acquired a new parsonage in the Greenwood Urban Renewal area at 568 South Hayworth in Decatur; the new parsonage of St. Peter African Methodist Episcopal Church was dedicated on March 25, 1962 by Reverend Joseph Gomes; in 1966, several lots adjoining the church were bought, which were used to erect a parking lot, with space remaining for the George A. Coates Educational Building, which was built in 1988; and

WHEREAS, Under the leadership of Reverend Carey A. Grady, who was installed as pastor in January 2004, the church has expanded greatly; the church instituted several new outreach ministries, fellowships, and worship services, including a Christmas Gala, Greek Sunday, Homecoming and Back to School Giveaway, Media Ministry, Men's Empowerment Month, Women's Empowerment Month, Son's of Allen Prayer Breakfast, Nia After-School Program, Neighborhood Sunday, Stewardship Revival, Prayer Phone Line, Radio Broadcast, St. Peter Hilltop Newsletter, Sunday Breakfast, Wednesday, Word and Worship, Youth and Young Adult Revival, Youth Empowerment Month, Youth Empowerment Prayer Breakfast; the church also sponsors the Inspirational Spoken Word, a program that showcases local and regional talent, as well as the Decatur Council for Fostering Male Development, a male mentoring agency for African-American males; Reverend Grady has also helped foster a renewed interest and excitement in young people as well as adults by his unique expository preaching and teaching of the word of God; and

WHEREAS, The dedication and generosity of the congregation of the St. Peter African Methodist Episcopal Church make them role models 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 St. Peter African Methodist Episcopal Church 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 Reverend Carey A. Grady as a symbol of our esteem and respect.