HR0687 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0687 LRB096 15084 GRL 30103 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate the congregation of the Elizabeth First United Methodist Church on the occasion of the church's 175th anniversary in October of 2009; and

WHEREAS, The rich history of the Elizabeth First United Methodist Church began in the late summer of 1834, when Moses Shunk of Pennsylvania arrived in Elizabeth to construct a place of worship where services could be held; he eventually created a double log house with a ground floor, which was used as a dwelling house, a meeting house, and a school house; the church's benches were mere slabs turned flat-side-up, with pins driven into them to serve as legs; the building's construction was completed on October 5, 1834, at which time a Sunday school was created - the first Methodist Sunday school in Elizabeth; the next day, school began with Moses Shunk as the school's first teacher; the church's first minister was Rev. S.A. Sugg; and

WHEREAS, In 1845, the congregation of the Elizabeth First United Methodist Church built a new frame church behind the church's present site; the building was later moved to the Cording farm, where it remained until around 1944; the land where the church's present building stands was purchased on May 25, 1871 for $200; and

WHEREAS, In 1923, a new addition was placed on the Elizabeth First United Methodist Church; during that time, the church became the largest Sunday school in the county, boasting over 300 pupils; the church itself was also one of the largest in the county, with over 300 members; and

WHEREAS, The Elizabeth First United Methodist Church and its congregation serve as shining examples of faith, integrity, and compassion for the people of the State of Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the congregation of the Elizabeth First United Methodist Church on the occasion of the church's 175th 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 congregation of the Elizabeth First United Methodist Church as a symbol of our esteem and respect.