SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 765
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
recognize Grace Methodist Church in Hearne on the grand occasion
of its 150th anniversary; and
WHEREAS, Church members are gathering to commemorate this
historic event with a special celebration in 2020; and
WHEREAS, The church's history begins in 1870 with Horace
Bishop, a Methodist minister, who came to Hearne and rented a
room at the hotel; the following day he was visited by three
sisters, Mrs. Wash Hearne, Mrs. Charles Lewis, and Aunt Rhoda,
who were former Methodists; although the ladies were not
optimistic about building a Methodist church in the town, a
congregation was started on the second floor of Joe Lambert's
saloon with the help of two gentlemen, Jonathon Gideon Wilkerson
and Nathan Kilgore; and
WHEREAS, The members of the congregation built a church
building of their own in 1885, but they soon had to rebuild after
a devastating fire, and they also contended with a storm that
moved the church off its foundations; new pillars were put under
the building where it stood after the storm, three feet to the
south of its original location, and First Methodist Episcopal
Church South was allowed to remain on that spot; and
WHEREAS, As the church membership grew, changes were made
to the original structure; the present sanctuary was built in
1929, and the Memorial Building was erected in 1976; the name of
the church was changed in 1948 to Grace United Methodist Church
and again, in 1968, to Grace Methodist Church; and
WHEREAS, The rich heritage of Grace Methodist Church
reflects the dedication by its members of their talents, vision,
wisdom, and selfless service to others; and
WHEREAS, Grace Methodist Church has provided a place of
worship for generations of faithful Christians and has played a
significant role in the continuing growth and development of the
city; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th
Legislature, hereby commend the congregation of Grace Methodist
Church in Hearne and extend best wishes for a joyful celebration
of the church's 150th anniversary.
Schwertner
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on May 17, 2019.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate