LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 101st Anniversary of The Rugby
Deliverance Tabernacle Church of Brooklyn, New York

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, This Legislative Body takes pleasure in commemorating the
101st Anniversary of The Rugby Deliverance Tabernacle Church of Brook-
lyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, The history of the church began in 1907, when a number of the
residents from the Rugby community of Brooklyn, New York, gathered
together for weekly prayer meetings in their individual homes; six years
later, on February 14, 1913, the church was incorporated as The Rugby
Congregational Church; and
WHEREAS, The forefathers of the Church were primarily made up of work-
ing class English, Scottish, Irish, German and Scandinavian immigrants;
as the church grew and positively impacted the community, it was neces-
sary to purchase land for a larger sanctuary which was completed in
1921; the current sanctuary building was completed in June of 1928; and
WHEREAS, Throughout its early history, the church was blessed with
leaders of vision and dedication who managed to keep the church func-
tioning through the Great Depression and World War II; Rugby Church
participated in many notable city-wide events and campaigns to improve
the lives of the community it served, including financial support for
World War refugees, plays and orchestra concerts for the community, and
participation in city-wide events in support of young people; and
WHEREAS, Rugby Church was also a meeting center for many civic and
religious organizations; the changes and development throughout the next
decades were marked by hard work, dedication and wise financial manage-
ment with the result of the retirement of the mortgage before the
Church's 50th anniversary on December 9, 1962; the congregation contin-
ued to reflect the changing community with new immigrants from the
Caribbean in the 1970s and 1980s; and
WHEREAS, A significant turning point in the history of the church came
with the introduction of its current pastor, Archbishop Dr. Sidley Mull-
ings in 1987; Dr. Mullings was officially installed on January 27, 1992;
and
WHEREAS, Under Dr. Mullings's leadership, the Church now has both a
local and global vision; he has been very instrumental in the tremendous
growth of the membership of the church and its impact on local communi-
ties and across the globe; on January 11, 2003, the name of the church
was officially changed to become The Rugby Deliverance Tabernacle to
reflect the nature of the vision and service of the church; and
WHEREAS, Over the past 26 years under Archbishop Mullings, The Rugby
Deliverance Tabernacle has made an indelible impact on the Brooklyn
community; and
WHEREAS, The Rugby Deliverance Tabernacle Church stands on the thresh-
old of tomorrow, prepared to meet the challenges of the coming decades
while retaining that spiritual resolve which characterizes its 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 101st Anniversary of The Rugby Deliverance Tabernacle

Church of Brooklyn, New York, fully 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 tran-
smitted to Archbishop Dr. Sidley R. Mullings, Pastor, The Rugby Deliver-
ance Tabernacle Church of Brooklyn, New York.