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| 3 | 4 | | |
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| 4 | 5 | | R E S O L U T I O N |
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| 5 | 6 | | WHEREAS, Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church in Marshall is |
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| 6 | 7 | | celebrating the 150th anniversary of its founding on November 26, |
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| 7 | 8 | | 2017; and |
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| 8 | 9 | | WHEREAS, One of the oldest African American congregations in |
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| 9 | 10 | | Harrison County, Bethesda was established in 1867 by the Reverend |
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| 10 | 11 | | William Massey and was originally known as the "Colored Baptist |
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| 11 | 12 | | Church"; organized with some 450 initial members, the church played |
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| 12 | 13 | | a central role in the religious, social, and political lives of |
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| 13 | 14 | | recently freed slaves in the Marshall area; it also helped to meet |
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| 14 | 15 | | the educational needs of the community, as its building served as a |
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| 15 | 16 | | schoolhouse and its first pastor, Reverend Massey, did double duty |
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| 16 | 17 | | as a teacher; and |
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| 17 | 18 | | WHEREAS, In the early 1880s, Bethesda supported the |
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| 18 | 19 | | establishment in Marshall of Bishop College for the purpose of |
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| 19 | 20 | | training African American teachers and preachers; David Abner, one |
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| 20 | 21 | | of the church's founders and a prominent Reconstruction-era |
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| 21 | 22 | | politician and public servant, was instrumental in the creation of |
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| 22 | 23 | | the college and served on its first board of trustees; over the |
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| 23 | 24 | | years, the congregation's strong link with the school led to |
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| 24 | 25 | | Bethesda's becoming known as the "College Church"; since Bishop's |
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| 25 | 26 | | move to Dallas in 1961, the church has developed a close |
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| 26 | 27 | | relationship with Wiley College; and |
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| 27 | 28 | | WHEREAS, Today, members of Bethesda support a number of |
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| 28 | 29 | | ministries that provide myriad opportunities for spiritual growth, |
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| 29 | 30 | | fellowship, and outreach; this dynamic congregation has benefited |
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| 30 | 31 | | from the efforts of many dedicated ministers since its inception, |
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| 31 | 32 | | and Bethesda is now fortunate to be led by the Reverend James |
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| 32 | 33 | | E. Webb, who assumed the pulpit in 1998; and |
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| 33 | 34 | | WHEREAS, Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church has long served |
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| 34 | 35 | | as a source of inspiration and guidance to those who worship there, |
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| 35 | 36 | | and its continued existence is a testament to the unwavering |
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| 36 | 37 | | commitment of its members and clergy, both past and present; now, |
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| 37 | 38 | | therefore, be it |
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| 38 | 39 | | RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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| 39 | 40 | | Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby commemorate the |
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| 40 | 41 | | sesquicentennial of Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church in Marshall |
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| 41 | 42 | | and extend to all those associated with the church sincere best |
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| 42 | 43 | | wishes for the future; and, be it further |
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| 43 | 44 | | RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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| 44 | 45 | | prepared for Bethesda MBC as an expression of high regard by the |
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| 45 | 46 | | Texas House of Representatives. |
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