84R20139 RMA-D
By: White of Tyler H.R. No. 1947
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The members of Beech Creek Baptist Church are
marking a momentous event in the history of their church with the
celebration of its 160th anniversary in 2015; and
WHEREAS, Believed to be the oldest Baptist church in Tyler
County, Beech Creek Baptist was organized by eight charter members
on September 24, 1855, in the home of Captain James G. Collier, with
early worship services conducted in a local schoolhouse; the church
welcomed both Anglo and African Americans as members of the
congregation, and in 1867, Beech Creek ordained Henry Gainer, an
African American minister; and
WHEREAS, In 1892, after years of steady growth, the church
erected its first sanctuary on a parcel of land donated by Captain
Collier; the 20th century saw the organization of a Sunday school in
1905 and later, in 1969, the construction of a building to house
educational and recreational programs; in 1989, a memorial building
fund was established and named in honor of Addie Jordan, who
rendered 75 years of faithful service to the church, and in 2011,
construction began on a new fellowship hall under the leadership of
Pastor Jack Lewellen; the 141st anniversary of the church was
celebrated with the dedication of an official Texas Historical
Marker from the Texas Historical Commission in 1996; and
WHEREAS, Since its inception, Beech Creek Baptist Church has
been guided by some 40 different pastors, many of whom were called
to serve the congregation multiple times; its devoted and
civic-minded membership has sponsored local and regional
ministries, as well as myriad outreach efforts for the benefit of
the wider community; and
WHEREAS, Beech Creek Baptist Church has long served as a
spiritual bedrock in the community, and the continued existence of
this historic church attests to the loyalty of its congregants,
past and present, whose efforts have sustained its vital mission;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby commemorate the 160th anniversary of the
founding of Beech Creek Baptist Church and extend to its
congregation sincere best wishes for many more years of shared
prayer and fellowship; 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.