TITLE: Commemorating the 135th anniversary of the Cleburne Seventh-day Adventist Church.

SUMMARY: Commemorating the 135th anniversary of the Cleburne Seventh-day Adventist Church.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The members of the Cleburne Seventh-day Adventist Church marked a milestone in the history of their church with the celebration of its 135th anniversary on February 2, 2013; and WHEREAS, Thought to be the second-oldest Seventh-day Adventist church in Texas, the church traces its origins back to 1875, when three brothers from Michigan arrived in Cleburne to preach at an open-air assembly; they sent for an evangelist whose popular tent revivals attracted some 300 people; a new church was thus formed and adopted the name of Cleburne Seventh-day Adventist on February 2, 1878; and WHEREAS, The leaders of the fledgling church built their own sanctuary soon thereafter, but when it was destroyed by a tornado, they moved to nearby Keene and established a church there; worship services resumed in Cleburne in 1907, held at the local Knights of Pythias Hall, and a new church was built in 1911; in the 1920s, the church struggled financially and membership declined, but the creation of a community outreach program and a fund for religious education helped the church to resume its progress; and WHEREAS, The mayor of Cleburne participated in a dedication ceremony for a new church building in 1950, and the congregation continued to grow; relocating to its current home in 1969, the church added a family life center and a school for students in kindergarten through eighth grade in the 1990s; and WHEREAS, The church was led for a decade by Dr. Tony Torres, who instituted a medical and dental clinic to serve the uninsured; after he stepped down in 2012, Harly Charles assumed the pulpit, and today, he leads a congregation of more than 500 members; and WHEREAS, Over the years, many area residents have looked to the Cleburne Seventh-day Adventist Church for strength and inspiration, and it is a pleasure to join in honoring the church at this special time in its rich history; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas Legislature hereby commemorate the 135th anniversary of the Cleburne Seventh-day Adventist Church and extend to the congregation 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. Orr Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 888 was adopted by the House on March 27, 2013, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House