House Concurrent Resolution 75

(As Adopted by House and Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE DILIGENCE, SERVICE AND WIDE INFLUENCE OF THE PASTORS AND MEMBERS OF PALMER BAPTIST CHURCH ON THE OCCASION OF THE CHURCH'S HISTORIC 100TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY.

WHEREAS, Palmer Baptist Church, a historic foundation established in Ripley, Mississippi, which actually met for the first time in 1912 when local Christians began a Sunday School class in Palmer School, celebrates the splendid occasion of its centennial church anniversary acknowledging 100 years of spiritual excellence and devotion; and

WHEREAS, in 1917, Palmer Baptist Church officially laid its roots under the leadership of Brother Norris Palmer and Brother Clarence Palmer, the first and second pastors of the church, and as a result of their devout leadership, the church continues to bear their name, even though no familial connection existed between the two men; and

WHEREAS, during the church's marvelous 100 years, new memberships, ministries and facilities have been added, including the addition of a piece of property from Byron Booker in 1921 that allowed the church to erect its first actual church building under the leadership of Brother George Wages; and

WHEREAS, the church continued to grow and prosper throughout the years, as a cemetery was built in the mid 1940s, and in 1948, six Sunday School classrooms were added to the grounds, allowing the various classes to actually start meeting in rooms instead of behind curtains in the sanctuary; and

WHEREAS, church pastors were part time until 1953 when Brother Gene Walley became the church's first full-time pastor, and in that same year, the Brotherhood and WMU organizations were formed, and in the early 1960s, both an educational annex and a hut for the Royal Ambassador youth to meet were constructed; and

WHEREAS, in 1963, Fred Smith donated property and a parsonage was built and the previously built cemetery was expanded to property also donated by Fred Smith as well as Mr. and Mrs. Bob Fortier, and these new additions brought the church to its current size; and

WHEREAS, a nursery was built in 2009 in an area that had been used for social events, and in 2011, the church erected a new Family Life Center adjacent to the current building, but despite all of these additions and new developments, the congregation outgrew its facilities, and in 2016, the church decided to begin constructing a new sanctuary and moved its services to the Family Life Center; and

WHEREAS, throughout the church's history, it has worshipped and served the Lord under the illustrious guidance of many devout pastors and while the community, the congregation and even the landscape may have changed in the past 100 years, the message of love and mercy taught from the Good Book has remained the same; and

WHEREAS, in 2017, because of Palmer Baptist Church's immense growth under the tutelage of the diligent Pastor Brother Richie Hatcher and due in large part to the Lord's blessings on the church and congregation, the church will move into a new sanctuary that will seat almost 300 people; and

WHEREAS, Palmer Baptist Church has been a valued and trusted institution in the community since its inception 100 years ago, withstanding the ever-changing dynamics surrounding it by being firmly rooted and grounded in its biblical principles, and it has continued in the longstanding tradition of empowering countless families and others through the preaching and teaching of the gospel; and

WHEREAS, while the foundation was first laid in 1921 to erect the congregation's first actual sanctuary, Palmer Baptist Church was truly founded on faith, hope, love and prayer long before then, and after 100 years of dedication to the immaculate Lord and Savior, it continues to grow and harvest new souls for the Lord as a stronghold and a source of spiritual empowerment for her members, the citizens of Ripley, Mississippi, and the surrounding communities; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend outstanding and contributory religious institutions such as Palmer Baptist Church, which remains a cornerstone of the Ripley community as it strives continuously to promote the spread and growth of the Christian faith:

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, service and wide influence of the pastors and members of Palmer Baptist Church on the occasion of the church's historic 100th year anniversary and extend warmest wishes for continued prosperity, spiritual growth and success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Pastor Brother Richie Hatcher and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.