MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representative Barnett (92nd)

House Concurrent Resolution 161

(As Adopted by House and Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE SYLVARENA BAPTIST CHURCH ON THE CELEBRATION OF THEIR 100TH ANNIVERSARY. 

WHEREAS, the Sylvarena Baptist Church in Wesson, Mississippi, is celebrating their 100th anniversary; and

WHEREAS, the Sylvarena Baptist Church held its services once a month in the schoolhouse until the first building committee was appointed on November 19, 1898; and

WHEREAS, the first building was built of the finest virgin pine and the members donated most of the labor and materials with a total cash cost of the building being $306.00; and

WHEREAS, the building was dedicated on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 1904, with the Reverend J.A. Lea delivering the dedication sermon; and

WHEREAS, the church cemetery was created in the first few years of the church through donations from the church members and with 14 charter members buried there; and

WHEREAS, due to the growth of the church, further construction took place in 1910 on the west side of the building at a total cost of $686.14 and Reverend Sproles preached the dedication sermon in February 1911; and

WHEREAS, the church created Sunday School rooms by using curtains on wires in the main auditorium until 1942 when four new Sunday School rooms were built; and

WHEREAS, in 1951, Sylvarena Baptist Church purchased new pews and pulpit furniture and began construction on the fellowship hall including a kitchen, serving area and rest rooms, which was completed in 1959; and

WHEREAS, on Labor Day Weekend, 1994, the old church was torn down to be replaced by the new church building with the first service being held at the Easter Sunrise Service in 1995; 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 100 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 Sylvarena Baptist Church in Wesson, Mississippi, on the celebration of its 100th anniversary and extend our heartiest wishes to the church and its members for many more years of spiritual growth and success.

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