Senate Resolution No. 1794

BY: Senator MONTGOMERY

COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of Cornerstone
Baptist Church of Brooklyn, New York, to be
celebrated on November 4, 2017

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
100th Anniversary of Cornerstone Baptist Church of Brooklyn, New York,
to be celebrated at a Banquet "A Season of Even Greater Things" John
14:12 on Saturday, November 4, 2017, at El Caribe Country Club Catering
in Brooklyn; and

WHEREAS, During World War I, a few Christian soldiers decided to
begin a church amidst the constant chaos around them; they gathered
their neighbors, and held their first meeting at 933 DeKalb Avenue,
Brooklyn, in the home of Mrs. M. Freeman; this group continued to
worship together, and on September 10, 1917, the Cornerstone Baptist
Church was officially organized and dedicated to the service of God with
founder, Reverend William H. Rodman serving as the first Pastor; and

WHEREAS, On May 3, 1920, a meeting was held to organize this body
into a permanent church; the six Baptist Churches which formed the
Recognition Council, officially recognized Cornerstone Baptist Church on
June 9, 1920; and

WHEREAS, After several pastors, Reverend Thomas Willis Fentress was
called to lead the Church in June of 1929; under his guidance, the
Cornerstone Baptist Church moved to 688 DeKalb Avenue, and in 1932, the
Church moved to its first edifice at Gates Avenue and Irving Place,
where it grew to be one of Brooklyn's largest congregations; and

WHEREAS, Under the next Pastor, Reverend Dr. Sandy Frederick Ray,
the Church continued to thrive; on December 28, 1944, a contract was
signed for the Lewis Avenue Congregational Church Parish which would
accommodate the growing flock; on June 10, 1945, the march from the old
church to the new took place under a "Shower of Blessings"; and

WHEREAS, Throughout Pastor Sandy Frederick Ray's tenure, the
Cornerstone Baptist Church purchased several new buildings including the
church parsonage at 1281 President Street, and the Cornerstone
Educational Center, which was completed, dedicated and opened to the
public for the first time on May 29, 1966; and

WHEREAS, During the period from May of 1979 to November of 1981,
Reverend Henry G. Scott, served with distinction as Minister-In-Charge;
on November 14, 1981, the Cornerstone Baptist Church family held an
election and unanimously elected the Reverend Dr. Harry Starks Wright, a

Pastor, Dean and College President, to the Pastorate of Cornerstone
Baptist Church; a title he held until his retirement on August 3, 2003;
and

WHEREAS, Today, Reverend Lawrence E. Aker, III serves as Senior
Pastor of the Cornerstone Church, where he always displays the highest
standards of personal and professional integrity and dedication; and

WHEREAS, From its humble beginnings in 1917, the magnificent
Cornerstone Baptist Church has grown from a few members to a faithful
congregation of approximately 1,500 members today; the Church is
comprised of people who truly love God and each other; each and every
parishioner strives to warmly welcome visitors to their sanctuary; and

WHEREAS, Members of the Church have the opportunity to serve on 65
Boards of Directors of various committees, or join numerous clubs and
organizations where they can expand their talents and indulge their
special interests; and

WHEREAS, Children attend Sunday School and a month long Vacation
Bible School during the summer, which is free to the public; and

WHEREAS, The Cornerstone Baptist Church stands on the threshold 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 100th Anniversary of Cornerstone Baptist Church to be
observed on November 4, 2017, 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
transmitted to The Reverend Lawrence E. Aker, III, Senior Pastor,
Cornerstone Baptist Church.