H.R. No. 660
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Members of Smith Point Community Church, in Chambers
County, are gathering on April 29, 2017, to dedicate an Official
Texas Historical Marker honoring that venerable congregation; and
WHEREAS, Beginning in the late 1800s, circuit-riding Baptist
preachers held monthly religious services for residents in the
area, first under the trees and later in the local schoolhouse,
which also functioned as a community fellowship center; eventually,
a second school was built to accommodate a growing population, and
that structure is used as the church's sanctuary to this day; and
WHEREAS, Brother Hollis and Addie Newman officially
reorganized Smith Point Baptist Church in 1948 with the assistance
of Mark and Richard "Dick" Whittington; the Reverend L. J. Hand
served as the congregation's first pastor; in 2007, the name was
changed to Smith Point Community Church to reflect the church's
status as the only religious institution in the area; the Reverend
Michael K. Graves currently leads the bilingual congregation, which
worships in both English and Spanish; and
WHEREAS, For more than 100 years, Smith Point Community
Church has been a source of inspiration and guidance to area
residents, and this recognition from the Texas Historical
Commission is a fitting tribute to the steadfastness of its members
and to the significant role the church has played in building a
strong and caring community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby commemorate the dedication of an Official Texas
Historical Marker at Smith Point Community Church and extend to the
church's clergy, congregation, and guests sincere best wishes for a
meaningful and memorable event; 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.
Faircloth
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 660 was adopted by the House on March
9, 2017, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House