2016 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 128
BY SENATOR CARTER
A RESOLUTION
To commend St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church on moving to its new church home on
May 22, 2016.
WHEREAS, according to church historians, in 1928, the late Reverend Arthur
Monday Sr. and the first pioneers of the church assembled together in the home of Sister
Iona Sylve to organize a church in the Algiers (Oakdale) Community where the St. Stephen
Missionary Baptist Church was founded and organized; and
WHEREAS, worship services were initially held in the members' homes, as the
church grew the services were conducted in a milk dairy, and as the church's membership
grew even larger, a church sanctuary was erected on LeBouef Street in 1937; and
WHEREAS, the church continued to progress and many souls were added over the
years, due to the construction of the Mississippi River Bridge in 1957, the church was
relocated to Magellan Street, and Pastor Monday Sr. and the church's loyal members later
had the church rebuilt at 1737 Whitney Avenue; and
WHEREAS, God called Reverend Monday Sr. home in 1974 before he could
accomplish his goal of adding a wing on the church to accommodate a growing membership
and Reverend Doctor Arthur Monday Jr., following in his father's footsteps as a minister,
succeeded his father in 1974; and
WHEREAS, he was an anointed preacher, an educator and administrator, he served
well as an inspirational and progressive pastor for five years, carrying out his father's vision
of building a wing on the church and with the assistance of the loyal congregation, the new
wing was dedicated in 1976; and
WHEREAS, after the untimely death of Reverend Doctor Arthur Monday Jr. in
January 1980, the congregation unanimously elected Reverend Norman N. Francis as pastor,
who was a young minister but the church family had faith in his vision and ability to lead
them, and the church continues to be blessed under the pastorate of Pastor Francis,
continuing to grow and shine as a beacon light in the community; and
Page 1 of 2 SR NO. 128 ENROLLED
WHEREAS, the Lord placed upon Reverend Francis' heart to build Him a new house,
and Pastor Francis had many reservations but knew within his heart that when God gives you
a directive, you must obey; and
WHEREAS, he shared his vision with the church on several occasions and the Lord
showed the congregation the need for a new edifice, and through the work of the Holy Spirit,
God blessed the church family with a lot to construct a new edifice; and
WHEREAS, the Lord guided Pastor Francis and the building committee to complete
the necessary documents to achieve a financial goal for the proposed construction of the new
edifice; and
WHEREAS, during the process of completing the building, God made it possible for
the congregation to hold worship services at Mt. Pilgrim 4th Baptist Church, St. Julien
Eymard Cafeteria, First Free Mission Baptist Church, and lastly at St. Mary's Place; and
WHEREAS, the vision of Pastor Francis was to make a new edifice a reality, and
with God's grace and guidance, that has been accomplished; and
WHEREAS, St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church is "A Church Where It's Not
About You and It's Not About Me, It's All About JESUS!" and in its eighty-seven years of
existence, the St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church has had many locations but has come
"A Mighty Long Way"; and
WHEREAS, St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church will be parading from the old
address at 3518 General Meyer to the new address of 1738 L. B. Landry Avenue on May 22,
2016.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby commend the St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church on moving into a new
church home on May 22, 2016.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Reverend Doctor Norman N. Francis.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
Page 2 of 2