MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representatives Holland, Ford, Scott (17th)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF TUPELO, MISSISSIPPI, ON ITS 100TH ANNIVERSARY.

WHEREAS, the First United Methodist Church of Tupelo, Mississippi, the oldest church building in Tupelo and the oldest brick structure of any kind in the city, was officially organized in 1867, the year that Tupelo was incorporated, and met for three years in a frame building which it shared with a Baptist congregation; and

WHEREAS, in 1870, a small white frame church was built which served the congregation for thirty years; and, in 1890, Reverend N. G. Augustus was appointed full-time pastor; and

WHEREAS, by the mid-1890's, the church needed a larger building to accommodate the growing congregation; and, in 1898, the present property on Main Street was acquired from Thomas J. Babb for $1,000.00 and paid for with a sack of gold coins; and

WHEREAS, in 1898, a building contract was negotiated with Mr. John Stinson of Columbus to build a new church at a cost of $4,900.00, and the church was officially dedicated on October 3, 1903, in a service conducted by Bishop Warren A. Candler of Atlanta; and

WHEREAS, following a recent renovation, an official of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History stated that the First United Methodist Church of Tupelo was the best example of a church renovation which was faithful to its original structure that he had ever seen, and the congregation was justifiably proud when the church building was named to the National Registry of Historic Places; and

WHEREAS, for one hundred years the church's twenty-nine pastors have proclaimed the Gospel of God's grace over ten thousand times from the pulpit of this church building and have rejoiced in hearing the enthusiastic voices of its members sing the great hymns of faith; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Larry Goodpastor, the present senior minister, and the seventeen hundred members of the First United Methodist Church of Tupelo, are proud to have preserved the church's past as represented in this historic building. But they are even more pleased to be entrusted with the continuing work of the Kingdom of God as they faithfully face the church's future in a growing and vibrant community; "Rise up, ye saints of God, have done with lesser things; give heart and soul and mind and strength to serve the King of Kings!"; 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 the First United Methodist Church of Tupelo, Mississippi, on the celebration of its 100th 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 the First United Methodist Church of Tupelo and the Capitol Press Corps.