H.R. No. 244
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Members of St. Luke "Community" United Methodist
Church in Dallas are celebrating the 90th anniversary of their
church's founding in 2023; and
WHEREAS, In 1933, the congregation was organized as St. Paul
Mission Church by ministers from St. Paul United Methodist Church
downtown, who recognized a need in East Dallas; the first small
structure built by members was destroyed by a fire in 1941, but four
years later, they completed a new red brick sanctuary on Wahoo
Street and Spring Avenue; and
WHEREAS, The congregation became St. Luke Methodist Church
in the late 1950s; it moved to its present-day campus in 1974, under
the leadership of longtime pastor Zan W. Holmes Jr., who also added
the word "Community" to its name; in 2017, St. Luke transferred its
old Wahoo Street property to the Zan Wesley Holmes Jr. Community
Outreach Center to support its good works; and
WHEREAS, Since July 2020, the church has been ably guided by
senior pastor Richie Butler; he worked tirelessly to maintain the
congregation's cohesion during the upheaval of the COVID-19
pandemic and following major storm damage to the church in spring
2021; while repairs were underway, Highland Park United Methodist
Church shared its facilities; and
WHEREAS, St. Luke sponsors a variety of initiatives
benefiting the wider community, including donations of food and
clothing, eviction prevention, and emergency and temporary
shelter; it has partnered with Harvest Project to distribute fresh
fruits and vegetables and with Project Unity to offer COVID-19
vaccinations and testing; moreover, it assists children of
incarcerated parents and youth in foster care; and
WHEREAS, For nine decades, St. Luke has provided area
residents with opportunities for spiritual growth, fellowship, and
community outreach, 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 House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate St. Luke "Community" United
Methodist Church on its 90th anniversary and extend to its members
sincere best wishes for the future; 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.
Jones of Dallas
Bowers
Bryant
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 244 was adopted by the House on
February 28, 2023, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House