Senate Resolution No. 5806

BY: Senator HAMILTON

COMMEMORATING the 129th Anniversary of Bethany
United Methodist Church

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, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 129th Anniversary of Bethany United Methodist Church;
and

WHEREAS, In the fall of 1888, a ministry of the Immanuel Swedish
Methodist Episcopal Church of Brooklyn, known as the Society of
Christian Workers, had a vision to bring the community together with
lifesaving and life transforming gospel; and

WHEREAS, The ministry began as outreach and Sunday school class to
the neighborhood in a carpenter's shop located at 1635 Atlantic Avenue
in Brooklyn; by the spring of 1889, a building was purchased at the
corner of Troy and Herkimer with a registered attendance of 15 adults
and 25 children; and

WHEREAS, What began as a ministry of the Immanuel Swedish Methodist
Episcopal Church through its Society of Christian Workers, developed
into a church, now with its own building and own pastor; and

WHEREAS, The Pastor, Reverend Charles F. Thornblade, delivered his
first sermon on September 1, 1889; and

WHEREAS, The congregation became a legal organization on March 28,
1891, with 78 full members and 30 probationary members known as the
Swedish Bethany Methodist Episcopal Church; and

WHEREAS, As the church flourished and with the shifting of the
Swedish population eastward to an area now known as Crown Heights, the
decision was made to sell the church on Herkimer Street and to follow
the suit of the trend to Crown Heights; and

WHEREAS, Groundbreaking ceremonies took place on what is the current
site of Bethany United Methodist Church on March 21, 1915, and the new
building was formally dedicated on October 31, 1915; and

WHEREAS, In 1968, the Methodist Churches merged with the Evangelical
United Brethren Church and became known as Bethany United Methodist
Church; and

WHEREAS, Today, Bethany United Methodist 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 129th Anniversary of Bethany United Methodist Church;
and be it further

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