Senate Resolution No. 1120

BY: Senator WEBB

COMMEMORATING the 150th Anniversary of Tabernacle
United Methodist Church of Binghamton

WHEREAS, Religious institutions, and the many spiritual, social, and
educational benefits they confer, play a vital role in the development
of the moral fabric of a responsible citizenry; and

WHEREAS, It is the tradition of this State and this Nation to pay
tribute to those institutions and individuals who have contributed to
the ethical and spiritual values of their communities; and

WHEREAS, On January 25, 1873, the founders of Tabernacle United
Methodist Church gave notice to Centenary Church, at that time the only
Methodist Church in Binghamton, that they intended to leave and begin a
new church on Binghamton's west side; and

WHEREAS, An organizational meeting was held on February 10, 1873 at
79 Front Street where the first Trustees were elected: Nial T. Childs,
Moses T. Winton, Robert B. Watson, Henry W. Horton, and N.H.P. Barrett;
furthermore, during this time, two lots were purchased at the corner of
Arthur and Main Streets, where the present church stands; and

WHEREAS, On March 14, 1873, building began on what was then known as
the Main Street Methodist Episcopal Church; by April of that same year,
151 full members and 31 probationers transferred to the new church, as
well as 65 Sunday School students and ten teachers; and

WHEREAS, At the dedication of the first small church on May 25,
1873, the scripture "How amiable are Thy tabernacles" was read, leading
to the renaming of the congregation to Tabernacle United Methodist
Church; and

WHEREAS, As the years went on, the need for a new larger church
became apparent, and the cornerstone of the present church was laid on
September 2, 1883; and

WHEREAS, In 1923, a church fire spread through the church to the
auditorium, but Tabernacle United Methodist Church rebuilt in six
months; and

WHEREAS, During the mid-1950s, Tabernacle United Methodist Church
saw the growth of its Sunday service with five choirs and 100 voices; in
addition, during these years there were many groups that flourished
within the church, including the Amici Club, the Red Cross Sewing Club,
the Women's Society of Christian Service, the King's Daughters, the
Motet Singers, the Oratorio Society, the Tabernacle Tornadoes basketball
league, and Girl Scouts, amongst others; and

WHEREAS, In 1988, a two-day conference was held at Tabernacle United
Methodist Church with local government and law enforcement to address
racial issues within the community; it was unofficially called the
Civilian Police Academy; and

WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to its
community, Tabernacle United Methodist Church began hosting Alcoholics
Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous in the 1980s; in 1992, a Wednesday
night free meal began to be offered along with a short worship service
called Steps in Faith; and

WHEREAS, In 2022, Broome County's Meals on Wheels began to
distribute meals from the church; a large grant was also awarded from
Broome County to redo the gym floor and start a new afterschool program
called "The Westside Community Gym Afterschool Program" which serves the
neighborhood children; and

WHEREAS, A true cornerstone in the community for 150 years,
Tabernacle United Methodist Church is a strong and loving place to
worship, as well as a beacon of light and resilience in the Binghamton
community; and

WHEREAS, Today, Tabernacle United Methodist Church stands on the
threshold of tomorrow, prepared to meet the challenges of the coming
decades, while retaining that spiritual resolve which has so
characterized its glorious past; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to take note of
enduring religious institutions and to bring such institutions to the
attention of the people of this Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 150th Anniversary of Tabernacle United Methodist Church
of Binghamton, New York, confident that this commemoration reflects the
belief in those values which enhance the dignity and purpose of life;
and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Tabernacle United Methodist Church of Binghamton, New
York.