S*0902 Concurrent Resolution, By Sheheen
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE ST. PAUL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH UPON
 THE OCCASION OF ITS ONE HUNDRED FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY, TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR
 THE CHURCH FOR ITS DEEP HERITAGE IN CAMDEN, AND TO COMMEND ITS LEADERSHIP AND
 CONGREGATION FOR THEIR MANY YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.

   01/23/18  Senate Introduced, adopted, sent to House
                     (Senate Journal-page 6)
   01/24/18  House  Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence
                     (House Journal-page 24)

TO CONGRATULATE ST. PAUL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH UPON THE OCCASION OF ITS ONE HUNDRED FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY, TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE CHURCH FOR ITS DEEP HERITAGE IN CAMDEN, AND TO COMMEND ITS LEADERSHIP AND CONGREGATION FOR THEIR MANY YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly are pleased to recognize and honor St. Paul United Methodist Church as it celebrates this milestone in the church's history on March 4, 2018; and

Whereas, a place of worship located in the Knights Hill Community in Camden, South Carolina, St. Paul United Methodist Church was founded in 1868 in the home of a member. This founding included the presence of F. P. Kirkland, J. H. Brevard, James English, Wesley Truesdale, Moses Nettles, and Mr. and Mrs. Paris Watts, who resolved that a place of worship was needed; and

Whereas, Mr. and Mrs. Paris Watts donated the two acres of land on which the first church structure was built; and

Whereas, in 1918, the first structure was destroyed by fire. Nevertheless, with hard work, faith, and dedication, the church was able to complete a new building, located on what is now St. Paul Road, on February 4, 1920; and

Whereas, the dream of a larger sanctuary became a reality when Reverend and Mrs. James Dial donated one and one-half acres of land on Knights Hill Road for a new, relocated structure, which was completed in February 1976. Additionally, a new parsonage was constructed next to the church in the 1990s; and

Whereas, in 2010, renovations to the structure on Knights Hill Road included the addition of a new spacious sanctuary, kitchen, classrooms, a conference room, a resource room, conversion of the former sanctuary into a large fellowship hall, and additional restrooms to accommodate a growing congregation; and

Whereas, over the years, St. Paul United Methodist Church has been blessed with thirty-four pastors and is currently guided under the spiritual leadership of Dr. James P. Smith and First Lady Rev. Millie N. Smith; and

Whereas, at the celebration of its one hundred fiftieth anniversary, St. Paul United Methodist Church will be "remembering the past, rejoicing in the present, and envisioning the future"; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly are grateful for the ministry of St. Paul United Methodist Church and its service to the community of Camden and the State of South Carolina. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the members of the General Assembly, by this resolution, congratulate St. Paul United Methodist Church upon the occasion of its one hundred fiftieth anniversary, recognize and honor the church for its deep heritage in Camden, and commend its leadership and congregation for their many years of service to the community.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to St. Paul United Methodist Church.