H*3930 Resolution, By Long
 A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE PASTOR AND CONGREGATION OF GOLD
 HILL AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL ZION CHURCH FOR ITS LONG HISTORY OF WORSHIP
 AND SERVICE IN THE FORT MILL COMMUNITY AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM UPON THE
 OCCASION OF THE CHURCH'S ONE HUNDRED FIFTEENTH ANNIVERSARY.

   04/11/13  House  Introduced and adopted (House Journal-page 63)

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE PASTOR AND CONGREGATION OF GOLD HILL AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL ZION CHURCH FOR ITS LONG HISTORY OF WORSHIP AND SERVICE IN THE FORT MILL COMMUNITY AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM UPON THE OCCASION OF THE CHURCH'S ONE HUNDRED FIFTEENTH ANNIVERSARY.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are delighted to learn that on Sunday, April 14, 2013, the congregation of Gold Hill African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church will celebrate the church's one hundred fifteenth anniversary; and

Whereas, founded in April 1889 by a group of faithful men who purchased two acres of land for twenty-five dollars from John F. Black of New York, the church has maintained its original location in Fort Mill; and

Whereas, when the church was begun, rumors abounded of a gold mine in the vicinity, so the founders named the church Gold Hill African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church; and

Whereas, the congregation has twice been bereft of the church sanctuary through the ravages of fire, the last time in the late 1930s, and both losses served to strengthen the resolve of the church members as they rose like the phoenix from her ashes; and

Whereas, Pastor Diane Belk serves the congregation as its twenty-ninth pastor in a long tradition of caring and devoted ministers, and the church's history has been recorded in a Souvenir Journal for the celebration of the momentous occasion of the one hundred fifteenth anniversary; and

Whereas the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives appreciate the significant impact the church has had on the Fort Mill community and celebrate with the congregation the church's one hundred fifteenth anniversary. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the House of Representatives of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, recognize and honor the pastor and congregation of Gold Hill African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church for its long history of worship and service in the Fort Mill community and congratulate them upon the occasion of the church's one hundred fifteenth anniversary.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to Pastor Diane Belk.