SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 120
WHEREAS, For 150 years, families have come together to
celebrate their faith at Saint Mark Christian Methodist Episcopal
Church in Longview; and
WHEREAS, Freedmen established the congregation in 1867 and
initially worshipped under a brush arbor, known as "the meeting
place," until a member of the Methodist Church sold the land to
them in 1871; and
WHEREAS, The church's first building had two stories, the
lower for services and school and the upper for meetings of the
United Brothers of Friendship Lodge; it was torn down in 1893 and
replaced with a frame building, and a parsonage and fellowship
hall were added later; in 1972, the congregation moved into its
present-day home on Sapphire Street; the original site of the
church received a historical marker in 2003; and
WHEREAS, Through the years, the congregation has benefited
from the able leadership of many dedicated pastors, and today
that tradition of service continues under the direction of the
Reverend Travis Stinson; and
WHEREAS, Saint Mark Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
has long served as a source of inspiration and guidance to those
who worship there, and its continued existence is a tribute to
the unwavering commitment of its members, both past and present;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th
Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby commemorate the 150th
anniversary of Saint Mark Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
and extend to the congregation sincere best wishes for many more
years of shared prayer and fellowship; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
the church as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate.
Hughes
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on August 10, 2017.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate