House Concurrent Resolution 95

(As Adopted by House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE DILIGENCE, SERVICE AND WIDE INFLUENCE OF THE PASTORS AND MEMBERS OF LOCUST GROVE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH ON THE OCCASION OF THE CHURCH'S HISTORIC 150TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY.

WHEREAS, Locust Grove Missionary Baptist Church, a historic foundation established in Greenwood, Mississippi, will celebrate the splendid occasion of its sesquicentennial church anniversary on September 9, 2018, acknowledging 150 years of spiritual excellence and devotion; and

WHEREAS, Locust Grove Missionary Baptist Church, which has the noble distinction of being the oldest African-American church in Greenwood, Mississippi, as well as for never splitting its membership, was organized under the leadership of Reverend Pete Green in 1868; and

WHEREAS, the original church site for Locust Grove was on Carrollton Avenue, which is now where Eastside Grocery is located, and at the time, the area only had woods and locust trees and as a result, the church was named Locust Grove; and

WHEREAS, in 1926, the original church building was torn down and was rebuilt under the leadership of Reverend Payne, and during that time, the deacons were Charlie Warren, Issac Armstrong, Charlie Harris and John Smith, and the women of the missionary society were Sarah Armstrong, Beatrice Sykes Bell, Annie Bell Stanciel, Mary Ella Warren and Ethel Brownlow; and

WHEREAS, in 1950, under the leadership of Reverend A.B. Woods, a patient and wise man of God, Locust Grove was moved to 1209 Broad Street, a task that took over a year; and

WHEREAS, on October 14, 1951, the pastor and members of Locust Grove officially entered the new church, and the old church was sold to Greenwood Church of God on May 21, 1951, for the cash amount of $3,500; and

WHEREAS, on December 12, 1952, the members voted to have two regular day services on the second and fourth Sunday beginning in January 1953; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Woods, who in addition to being the pastor of Locust Grove, was also the outstanding moderator for the Grenada District Association, and he was instrumental in bringing the late Reverend J.M. Kimble, who served as pastor of McKinney Chapel for several years, to Greenwood, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, while under the leadership of Reverend Woods, the deacons of Locust Grove were as follows: Issac Armstrong, C.B. Brownlow, David Wooden, Sr., Willie Holland, C.B. Blackmon, T.J. Granderson, Q.B. Shelton, Richard Stanciel and Henry Warren; and

WHEREAS, also under the leadership of Reverend Woods were the superintendents C.B. Blackmon and Willie Holland, the blackboard demonstrators Linberg Moore and Issac Armstrong who was also the director of the Baptist Training Union, which met every Sunday at 5:00 p.m.; and

WHEREAS, after the passing of Reverend Woods, who was a devout and skillful leader of Locust Grove for many years, the Reverend G.H. Hankins of Hollandale, Mississippi, successfully led the church until February 14, 1965; and

WHEREAS, on May 9, 1965, a zealous, vibrant and spirit-filled young man named Reverend R.L. Williams became pastor of Locust Grove, and under his leadership, the church purchased new pews and a new piano, and the church had live broadcasts every second and fourth Sunday, which enabled the Gospel of Jesus Christ to be shared through the airwaves; and

WHEREAS, also under the leadership of Reverend Williams, the Childs and Williams Community Choir was organized at Locust Grove by Reverend Williams and Reverend Childs, which helped uplift the name of the Lord through song; and

WHEREAS, in addition to meeting the spiritual needs of the church, in 1966 Locust Grove opened its doors to Friends of Children Head Start Association and approximately 100 children received educational services, which demonstrated the church's true concern and love for the surrounding community and its precious youth; and

WHEREAS, after making vast contributions at Locust Grove, Reverend Williams offered his resignation on January 12, 1970, and on August 9, 1970, the Lord supplied a ram in the bush by providing Reverend M.C. Tardy of Sunflower, Mississippi, as the next capable pastor of the church; and

WHEREAS, after over a decade of God-led service by Reverend Tardy, who was known for his humble and obedient spirit, the Lord called Reverend Tardy from labor to reward on November 12, 1982; and

WHEREAS, in February 1983, God provided yet another ram in the bush for Locust Grove when Reverend M.B. Lewis, a young man from Schalter, Mississippi, became pastor of the church; and

WHEREAS, under the leadership of Reverend Lewis, the membership of Locust Grove grew tremendously and there were several improvements made to the church, such as the installation of central air and heat, the covering of the pews, the purchasing of a van, new choir robes, a computer, a baby grand piano, the installation of ceiling fans and the addition of a fellowship hall to the church; and

WHEREAS, in September 2006, the present pastor of Locust Grove, Pastor William E. Morris, became the shepherd for the flock of Locust Grove, and he continues to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ while simultaneously and effectively meeting the spiritual needs of the congregation; and

WHEREAS, under the leadership and vision of Pastor William E. Morris, Pastor Morris and members of the Board of Trustees purchased a new place of worship on December 31, 2013, located on a 9.72 acre tract located at 3951 Highway 82 East, Greenwood, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Locust Grove Missionary Baptist Church had its ribbon cutting ceremony and first church services on February 2, 2014, and its dedicatory celebration worship services in its new church home were held on March 9, 2014; and

WHEREAS, through the vision, wisdom and spiritual leadership of Pastor Morris, Locust Grove Missionary Baptist Church is undoubtedly destined to do great things as its story continues to unfold; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize a great and historical religious institution such as Locust Grove Missionary Baptist Church of Greenwood, Mississippi, whose vision and motto of "Unity-Harmony-Alliance-Cooperation-Collaboration- Faith in Jesus Christ" has not only positively influenced the church but also the surrounding community:

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 the diligence of the pastors and members of Locust Grove Missionary Baptist Church upon the special occasion of the church's 150th anniversary and extend best wishes for continued prosperity, spiritual growth and success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Pastor William E. Morris of Locust Grove Missionary Baptist Church and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.