Senate Resolution 9

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING DANTZLER MEMORIAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IN MOSS POINT, MISSISSIPPI, UPON THE OCCASION OF THE SESQUI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF THE CHURCH.

WHEREAS, 2002 is a very exciting year in the life of Dantzler Memorial United Methodist Church in Moss Point, Mississippi, as the church recognizes a year-long celebration of its Sesqui-centennial; and

WHEREAS, This church was organized in 1852 as the First Protestant Church in Moss Point, Mississippi. The present building was erected in 1914 by the children of Sarah Eran Dantzler in her memory. The membership is composed of 415 caring individuals; and

WHEREAS, the first place of worship was a log house located near the corner of Magnolia Street and Bellview Avenue. By the year 1856, a new sanctuary was built. It was located at the corner of Dantzler and Jackson Street. In the year 1869, a new sanctuary was built on the corner of Church Street and Dantzler Street. A beautiful new sanctuary building was built in 1882. It was located between the present sanctuary and the old parsonage. It was then and is still today considered to be one of the most beautiful sanctuaries on the Mississippi Gulf Coast; and

WHEREAS, In 1852, the church was organized as the East Pascagoula Methodist Church and was connected to the Mobile District of the Alabama Methodist Conference. The name was changed in 1866 to Bay Shore Methodist Church, in 1870, it was changed to East Pascagoula Methodist Church of the Seashore District of the Mississippi Methodist Conference, in the year of 1876, it became the Moss Point Methodist Episcopal Church, South. The Methodist Episcopal Church, The Methodist Protestant Church, and the Methodist Episcopal Church, South united in April 1939 and formed the Methodist Church; almost thirty years later, the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church united forming the United Methodist Church, and this church became Dantzler Memorial United Methodist Church; and

WHEREAS, since this church's "birth", it has experienced many changes, but through it all, the Church has endeavored to provide a place of worship where individuals could grow closer to God; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the Sesqui-centennial celebration of this church which has given so much to its members, its community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Dantzler Memorial United Methodist Church in Moss Point, Mississippi, upon the occasion of the Sesqui-centennial celebration of the church, and extend to its members the best wishes of the Senate.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the Rev. Fred S. Britton representing the entire church, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.