H.R. No. 888
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The members of the Cleburne Seventh-day Adventist
Church marked a milestone in the history of their church with the
celebration of its 135th anniversary on February 2, 2013; and
WHEREAS, Thought to be the second-oldest Seventh-day
Adventist church in Texas, the church traces its origins back to
1875, when three brothers from Michigan arrived in Cleburne to
preach at an open-air assembly; they sent for an evangelist whose
popular tent revivals attracted some 300 people; a new church was
thus formed and adopted the name of Cleburne Seventh-day Adventist
on February 2, 1878; and
WHEREAS, The leaders of the fledgling church built their own
sanctuary soon thereafter, but when it was destroyed by a tornado,
they moved to nearby Keene and established a church there; worship
services resumed in Cleburne in 1907, held at the local Knights of
Pythias Hall, and a new church was built in 1911; in the 1920s, the
church struggled financially and membership declined, but the
creation of a community outreach program and a fund for religious
education helped the church to resume its progress; and
WHEREAS, The mayor of Cleburne participated in a dedication
ceremony for a new church building in 1950, and the congregation
continued to grow; relocating to its current home in 1969, the
church added a family life center and a school for students in
kindergarten through eighth grade in the 1990s; and
WHEREAS, The church was led for a decade by Dr. Tony Torres,
who instituted a medical and dental clinic to serve the uninsured;
after he stepped down in 2012, Harly Charles assumed the pulpit, and
today, he leads a congregation of more than 500 members; and
WHEREAS, Over the years, many area residents have looked to
the Cleburne Seventh-day Adventist Church for strength and
inspiration, and it is a pleasure to join in honoring the church at
this special time in its rich history; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature hereby commemorate the 135th anniversary of the
Cleburne Seventh-day Adventist Church and extend to the
congregation sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the church as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.
Orr
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 888 was adopted by the House on March
27, 2013, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House