House Concurrent Resolution 90

(As Adopted by House and Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE SHILOH SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH IN GREENWOOD, MISSISSIPPI, ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 95TH ANNIVERSARY.

WHEREAS, the congregation of Shiloh Seventh-day Adventist Church in Greenwood, Mississippi, will celebrate the 95th anniversary of God's faithfulness to this great and historical religious institution at a celebration to be held September 28-29, 2012; and

WHEREAS, Shiloh Seventh-day Adventist Church was organized by 14 founding members in 1917, its origin occurring in a store-front on Avenue G in Greenwood; and

WHEREAS, in 1919, the congregation purchased a small lot on the corner of Scott Street and Avenue G for $250.00, and the Seventh-day Adventist Conference sent a builder to construct the church on this site with the help of a skilled craftsman and member of the church, Brother Elmus Scales; and

WHEREAS, during the organization and construction of the original church, the Shiloh Seventh-day Adventist Church was a member of the white conference of Seventh-day Adventists, and it was not until 1944 that the Regional Conferences of Seventh-day Adventists was organized; and

WHEREAS, after the organization of the Regional Conferences of Seventh-day Adventists, the small church in Greenwood joined the first South Central Conference that included African-American congregations from Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee and Florida; and

WHEREAS, over the long history of the church, the Shiloh Seventh-day Adventist Church has been devotedly led by its elders, including: Elder H.R. Murphy, who served as the first president; Elder Walter W. Fordham; Elder F.L. Bland; Elder C.E. Dudley; Elder Joseph McCoy; Elder Benjamin Brown; and current president, Elder Dana C. Edmond; and

WHEREAS, the congregation of Shiloh Seventh-day Adventist Church has withstood the test of time, and with its historic legacy, this church is a beacon of light in the City of Greenwood; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize the great and historical religious institutions of our state, such as Shiloh Seventh-day Adventist Church in Greenwood, whose vision, outreach and dedication has been blessed by God to help lead countless individuals to a saving faith in Jesus Christ:

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 members of the Shiloh Seventh-day Adventist Church in Greenwood, Mississippi, upon the special occasion of their church's 95th anniversary and extend best wishes for continued prosperity, spiritual growth and success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the Shiloh Seventh-day Adventist Church and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.