A senate RESOLUTION

to recognize and honor the congregation and pastor of St. Matthew Baptist Church in kershaw County and to congratulate them upon the one hundred fiftieth anniversary of ministry and to the Kershaw community.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are pleased to learn that St. Matthew Baptist Church will celebrate the sesquicentennial anniversary of the church in May 2023; and

Whereas, founded in Lugoff by former slaves in 1873, St. Matthew Baptist Church had no building, so worship services were held outdoors with the slaves from Bell Plantation under a brush arbor.  Later in that same year, Mr. Gordon Bell and Mr. Grady Bell granted the worshippers two acres of land for a building and burial ground; and

Whereas, a church was built on the property, and worship services were held each Sunday and prayer services during the week.  That building, the Old Church, is located approximately one mile across from the location of the present sanctuary; and

Whereas, St. Matthew Baptist Church exists so that the members can glorify God and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ their Savior, preach the good news of the saving death and the victorious resurrection of Jesus Christ so that all who believe will be saved, and baptize them in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; and

Whereas, St. Matthew Baptist Church seeks to be a transformed community of disciples committed to sharing God's love and seeing transformation by the grace of God.  The members aim to be part of a growing church family that is focused on each member's spiritual, emotional, and physical growth; and

Whereas, St. Matthew Baptist Church has a mission to glorify God, to see souls saved as they spread His Holy Word, to support fellow believers, and to be a guiding light for the community; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are deeply grateful to the faithful congregants of St. Matthew Baptist Church for their long-standing contributions to Kershaw County and wish them continued blessings from God and meaningful ministry to their neighbors in the years to come.  Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize and honor the congregation and pastor of St. Matthew Baptist Church in Kershaw County and congratulate them upon the one hundred fiftieth anniversary of ministry and to the Kershaw community.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to St. Matthew Baptist Church.

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