MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2015 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Longwitz, Butler (38th), Fillingane, Jackson (32nd), Jolly, Lee, Norwood, Simmons (12th)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE CHRISTIAN LEGACY AND RECOGNIZING THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF MADISON, MISSISSIPPI.
WHEREAS, November 3, 2014, marked the 125th Anniversary of the First Baptist Church of Madison; and
WHEREAS, this historic landmark church was organized on November 3, 1889, by 20 faithful Christian citizens: S.M. Ellis, J.F. Norman, E.C. Melton, Lucille Melton, A. Smith, Sallie Smith, E.T. Potts, A.J. Clark, Eliza Clark, Fanny Clark, Callie Stewart, Lula Drummond, P.B. Bridges, Mrs. Willie Bridges, Miss Della Cox, Mrs. Pennie Cox, E.D. Cox, Mrs. Angie Warrick, Mrs. Lee and Miss Laura Bennett; and
WHEREAS, the founding members named the church Madison Station Baptist Church, and called J.R. Casten to serve as its first Pastor. He was paid an annual salary of $150.00 to preach one Sunday per month; and
WHEREAS, in 1894, after efforts to unite with New Hope Baptist Church, the church notified Madison Station that it was dissolving and blessed the Madison Station with New Hope's building, organ, Bible, songbooks and stove, all of which both churches decided to move to Madison Station, which boosted the total membership to 77, and they rebuilt the church with Murry W. Bennett, and completed reconstruction on April 7, 1894. The newly joined group changed the Madison Station's name to New Hope Madison Station Baptist Church in March 1894; and
WHEREAS, the year 1944 marked a sad time for the congregation because the spacious remodeled building of 1926 burned on February 13, 1944. After the building burned, the Methodists shared their building and invited the Baptists to meet with them for Sunday School, preaching services and prayer meetings; and
WHEREAS, in 1947, the church launched a building program. A lot located directly north of the Madison-Ridgeland High School on Highway 463 was donated by Mr. and Mrs. B.L. McMillion. The new building was completed and occupied in 1949; the name of the church was changed to Madison Baptist Church; and
WHEREAS, in 1952, the church borrowed $12,000.00 to build a ten-room annex to the west side of the building, and with its continued growth, the church went from half-time to full-time in 1953 and for the first time in its history the church had all services weekly; and
WHEREAS, the church continued to grow under the lengthy ministry of Reverend Harold Jordan and in May 1963, a vote was taken to add another annex to the east side of the building. During 1966 the church voted to build a pastorium. Reverend Billy McKay was called as Pastor in December 1967, and his family moved into the new pastorium; and
WHEREAS, membership continued to grow, and in 1972 the church purchased 5.7 acres of land north and west of its existing property and constructed an activities building. In May 1976, the church moved into a new building to serve as a fellowship hall and an interim auditorium; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Roy McHenry became Pastor on November 1, 1978, and the 1970s saw Sunday School enrollment grow from 275 to 625, resident membership grew from 371 to 778, and the church's 1979 budget totaled $242,218.00; and
WHEREAS, Dr. James Richardson became Pastor in 1981. Under his leadership the church changed its name to the First Baptist Church of Madison and began to realize its potential and to fulfill its mission to the rapidly growing Madison Community; and
WHEREAS, in 1983, the church conducted a capital funds campaign called "It Happens in Your Heart" to help build a $1,800,000.00 sanctuary with more than $766,000.00 raised, when the "victory goal" was $400,000.00. In 1985, preceding the church's centennial, a capital campaign called the "Centennial Celebration" was launched to help complete the lower floor of the sanctuary and the preschool building resulted in $29,000.00 being added to the 1983 pledge; and
WHEREAS, an aggressive building program, that includes a sanctuary seating of 950 people, was completed in 1986, and the preschool building was completed in 1987; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Richardson retired in October 1992, and Dr. John A. Temple became Pastor on May 1, 1993. Under Dr. Temple's leadership, the church increased in attendance, membership, facilities and property with Dr. Temple serving as Pastor until 2006, during which time additional property was bought, educational space was expanded, the Christian Activities Center was constructed and the chapel was renovated and restored; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Ronnie Falvey became Pastor May 4, 2008. Dr. Falvey was awarded the Doctor of Educational Leadership degree by the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in May 2012. Under Dr. Falvey's leadership, the church has grown in membership and attendance and it has completed a $16,500,000.00 building project that included renovation of existing facilities and the construction of a new sanctuary and additional educational space; and
WHEREAS, First Baptist Church of Madison has had many outstanding pastors who contributed much to the present church. It is on the past foundation that the present strength of First Baptist Church of Madison was built; and it is with great pride that we join the members of First Baptist Church of Madison in celebrating the pioneers, members, musicians, teachers, ministers and planners as it continues to move forward into the future wherever God leads:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we hereby join the members in commending the Christian legacy and recognizing the 125th Anniversary of First Baptist Church of Madison, Mississippi, and extend our best wishes at this auspicious celebration on April 19, 2015.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the Pastor and Deacons of First Baptist Church of Madison, Mississippi, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.