Senate Resolution No. 4042

BY: Senator PARKER

COMMEMORATING the 105th 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
105th Anniversary of The Rugby Deliverance Tabernacle Church of
Brooklyn, New York, which was celebrated with three great worship
services on Sunday, February 25, 2018; 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
working class English, Scottish, Irish, German and Scandinavian
immigrants; as the church grew and positively impacted the community, it
was necessary 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
functioning 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
management with the result of the retirement of the mortgage before the
Church's 50th anniversary on December 9, 1962; the congregation
continued 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
Mullings 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

communities 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 30 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
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 105th 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
transmitted to Archbishop Dr. Sidley R. Mullings, Pastor, The Rugby
Deliverance Tabernacle Church of Brooklyn, New York.