TITLE: Commemorating the 160th anniversary of Beech Creek Baptist Church.

SUMMARY: Commemorating the 160th anniversary of Beech Creek Baptist Church.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The members of Beech Creek Baptist Church are marking a momentous event in the history of their church with the celebration of its 160th anniversary in 2015; and WHEREAS, Believed to be the oldest Baptist church in Tyler County, Beech Creek Baptist was organized by eight charter members on September 24, 1855, in the home of Captain James G. Collier, with early worship services conducted in a local schoolhouse; the church welcomed both Anglo and African Americans as members of the congregation, and in 1867, Beech Creek ordained Henry Gainer, an African American minister; and WHEREAS, In 1892, after years of steady growth, the church erected its first sanctuary on a parcel of land donated by Captain Collier; the 20th century saw the organization of a Sunday school in 1905 and later, in 1969, the construction of a building to house educational and recreational programs; in 1989, a memorial building fund was established and named in honor of Addie Jordan, who rendered 75 years of faithful service to the church, and in 2011, construction began on a new fellowship hall under the leadership of Pastor Jack Lewellen; the 141st anniversary of the church was celebrated with the dedication of an official Texas Historical Marker from the Texas Historical Commission in 1996; and WHEREAS, Since its inception, Beech Creek Baptist Church has been guided by some 40 different pastors, many of whom were called to serve the congregation multiple times; its devoted and civic-minded membership has sponsored local and regional ministries, as well as myriad outreach efforts for the benefit of the wider community; and WHEREAS, Beech Creek Baptist Church has long served as a spiritual bedrock in the community, and the continued existence of this historic church attests to the loyalty of its congregants, past and present, whose efforts have sustained its vital mission; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas Legislature hereby commemorate the 160th anniversary of the founding of Beech Creek Baptist Church and extend to its congregation sincere best wishes for many more years of shared prayer and fellowship; 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. White of Tyler Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1947 was adopted by the House on May 21, 2015, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House