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TO COMMEND TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF CLIO FOR MORE THAN TWO AND A HALF CENTURIES OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY AND TO EXTEND WARMEST CONGRATULATIONS ON THE OCCASION OF THE CHURCH'S HISTORIC TWO HUNDRED SIXTIETH ANNIVERSARY.
Whereas, having been founded about 1760, Trinity United Methodist Church of Clio will celebrate a Gospel ministry of nearly two hundred sixty years in 2019; and
Whereas, as stated in The History of Marlboro County by J.A.W. Thomas, "About 1760, Ivey's Church (now Clio) was situated near what is now Dunbar." The earliest documentation of the house of worship from which Trinity United Methodist Church of Clio has evolved is a deed from Levi Ivey to Godi Ivey in 1835. In that deed, one and one-fifth acres on which the "meeting house" stood is excluded from the conveyance. Traditionally, the early church has been called Ivey's Church; and
Whereas, the old meeting house was situated on the road from Clio to Dillon and is presently the site of the Old Clio United Methodist Church. Apparently, a church erected at this site in the 1850s was burned by the "incendiary's torch" in 1866. The present structure was probably built shortly thereafter and was utilized by the Trinity congregation until 1886, when the congregation moved from the Old Clio Methodist Church facility to a new building within the Town of Clio on Society Street, formerly Darlington Street; and
Whereas, construction of the new church began in 1885 at the site of the present church. Due to the ravages of fire, later another church was built (1902-1903). In 1919, plans were made for building a modern church to replace the small wooden building erected at the beginning of the century. There were many delays, and work on the new building did not get underway until the early spring of 1920. The cornerstone was laid on September 20, 1920. In 1940, sufficient funds were raised to pay off the indebtedness, and although the building was not completed or furnished, Trinity Methodist Church was dedicated on September 20, 1940, twenty years to the day after the cornerstone was laid. Progress on the building was the victim of the cotton crash in the 1920s and the subsequent depression; and
Whereas, in 1948, the church's beautiful sanctuary was completed, including the installing of a heating plant, painting of the building, and carrying out of minor repairs. Not long thereafter, generous congregational giving allowed the church to install an organ, pews, and other furnishings. The following years brought still more improvements, such as several new Sunday School rooms and beautification of the recreation-dining room; and
Whereas, in 1979, Trinity United Methodist Church was listed in the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Clio Historic District; and
Whereas, to mark its milestone two hundred sixtieth anniversary, Trinity will host a homecoming celebration in May 2019, which will include, for the fiftieth year, the presentation of the church's Bruce Welge scholarship, awarded annually to a college student or high school senior who exemplifies the attributes of patriotism and good citizenship. Dinner on the grounds will follow; and
Whereas, Trinity United Methodist Church has been a beacon of light in the Clio area for almost two hundred sixty years, and, God willing, will continue its godly heritage in many more years of worship and service. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, commend Trinity United Methodist Church of Clio for more than two and a half centuries of service to the community and extend warmest congratulations on the occasion of the church's historic two hundred sixtieth anniversary.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Pastor Emily Hudson Davis for Trinity United Methodist Church.
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