H*4850 Resolution, By Parks, Allen, Altman, Anthony, Bailey, Bales, Barfield, 
Battle, Bingham, Bowers, Branham, Breeland, G. Brown, J. Brown, R. Brown, Cato, 
Ceips, Chellis, Clark, Clemmons, Clyburn, Coates, Cobb-Hunter, Coleman, Cooper, 
Cotty, Dantzler, Davenport, Delleney, Duncan, Edge, Emory, Freeman, Frye, 
Gilham, Gourdine, Govan, Hagood, Hamilton, Harrell, Harrison, Harvin, Haskins, 
Hayes, Herbkersman, J. Hines, M. Hines, Hinson, Hosey, Howard, Huggins, 
Jennings, Keegan, Kennedy, Kirsh, Koon, Leach, Lee, Limehouse, Littlejohn, 
Lloyd, Loftis, Lourie, Lucas, Mack, Mahaffey, Martin, McCraw, McGee, McLeod, 
Merrill, Miller, Moody-Lawrence, J.H. Neal, J.M. Neal, Neilson, Ott, Owens, 
Perry, Phillips, Pinson, E.H. Pitts, M.A. Pitts, Quinn, Rhoad, Rice, Richardson, 
Rivers, Rutherford, Sandifer, Scarborough, Scott, Simrill, Sinclair, Skelton, 
D.C. Smith, F.N. Smith, G.M. Smith, G.R. Smith, J.E. Smith, J.R. Smith, 
W.D. Smith, Snow, Stewart, Stille, Talley, Taylor, Thompson, Toole, Townsend, 
Tripp, Trotter, Umphlett, Vaughn, Viers, Walker, Weeks, Whipper, White, 
Whitmire, Wilkins, Witherspoon and Young
 A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO EXTEND THE CONGRATULATIONS OF THE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE
 OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA TO COKESBURY BAPTIST CHURCH
 OF HODGES ON THE OCCASION OF ITS MORTGAGE BURNING SERVICE TO BE HELD ON MARCH
 14, 2004, AND TO RECOGNIZE ITS DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE GLORY OF GOD SINCE
 EARLY 1900.

   02/26/04  House  Introduced and adopted HJ-9

TO EXTEND THE CONGRATULATIONS OF THE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA TO COKESBURY BAPTIST CHURCH OF HODGES ON THE OCCASION OF ITS MORTGAGE BURNING SERVICE TO BE HELD ON MARCH 14, 2004, AND TO RECOGNIZE ITS DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE GLORY OF GOD SINCE EARLY 1900.

Whereas, the churches of this State provide encouragement and support to their members and promote the spiritual growth of their congregations through worship, the study of the Bible, songs of praise, and other ministerial work; and

Whereas, the Cokesbury Baptist Church of Hodges is an institution for worshipping God beginning as Oak Grove Baptist Church when the first members began meeting under a large oak tree that stood as a landmark until 1900; and

Whereas, the church's founders purchased two acres of land in 1901 at a cost of twenty-six dollars and built the first church building serving the people of the Cokesbury community for decades and above all serving God; and

Whereas, the name of the church was later changed to Cokesbury Baptist Church to reflect the community it serves; and

Whereas, the church thrived over the years under the leadership of Reverend Herbert, Reverend Underwood, Reverend Ernest Goode, Reverend H. L. Cunningham, Reverend M. C. Martin, Reverend E. L. Cain, Reverend Emanuel Spearman, and Reverend J. L. Robinson; and

Whereas, over the years the church has undergone major improvements led by the leadership of the church with the commitment of the congregation; and

Whereas, both the building as well as the spiritual aspects of the church have grown and prospered over the last one hundred years; and

Whereas, the Gospel Chorus and the Cunningham Youth Choir were organized, construction on the new church building began in August of 1989 and was completed in May of 1990, and the Evans family donated the church marquee in memory of their beloved mother and father; and

Whereas, the dedicated members serving on the Building Committee worked hard to realize the dream of building the new Cokesbury Baptist Church; and

Whereas, under the guidance of Reverend J. L. Robinson, the worship service was increased from two Sundays a month to three Sundays; and

Whereas, the Cokesbury Baptist Church paid off its mortgage in its entirety on December 2, 2003, through the faith, leadership, and the blessings of God. 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, extend congratulations to Cokesbury Baptist Church of Hodges on the occasion of its Mortgage Burning Service to be held on March 14, 2004, and recognize its dedicated service to the glory of God since early 1900.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Reverend J. L. Robinson and the congregation of Cokesbury Baptist Church.