MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representative Ketchings

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN NATCHEZ ON ITS 175TH ANNIVERSARY. 

WHEREAS, on Sunday, April 20, 1997, Trinity Episcopal Church in Natchez, Mississippi, celebrated its 175th anniversary with special services marking the memorable event as a time to recognize "a past to honor, a present to celebrate, and a future to mold" for the church; and

WHEREAS, having come to Natchez with intentions of establishing an Episcopal Church, the Reverend James Pilmore celebrated the first service for the Episcopalian congregation in the Presbyterian Church on Sunday evening, May 10, 1822; and

WHEREAS, in the spring of 1823, the first services were held in the new Episcopal Church, then known as the "Round Top Church" due to its large tin-covered dome, which today is the oldest church building in Natchez and the oldest existing Episcopal Church building in the State of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, in 1826, the Diocese of Mississippi, then with four parishes, was established at Trinity Episcopal Church, and in 1850, the first bishop of the Diocese, the Right Reverend William Mercer Green, was rector of Trinity; and

WHEREAS, having pioneered in education since the colonization of our country, in 1888, the Episcopal Church established the first kindergarten in Natchez in the Trinity Parish House and opened a parish school for young ladies; and

WHEREAS, although the original kindergarten and young ladies' programs were eventually discontinued, a nursery school for four-year-olds which had begun in 1950 grew to become Trinity Episcopal Day School during the 1960's, and in 1971, the school proudly held its first commencement exercise; and

WHEREAS, today, under the faithful leadership of the Reverend Zabron A. "Chip" Davis, III, the church's 34th rector, Trinity Episcopal Church is a diverse congregation embracing a large number of different understandings while working together to maintain their diversified faith and reaching out to anyone coming through their church doors; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the Legislature to recognize and commend excellence, especially when evidenced by the faithful devotion of Mississippians united together in their Christian beliefs and traditions through 175 years of growth and prosperity:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Trinity Episcopal Church in Natchez, Mississippi, on the celebration of its 175th anniversary and extend our heartiest wishes to the church and its parishioners for many more years of spiritual growth and success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Trinity Episcopal Church and the Capitol Press Corps.