South Carolina General Assembly
123rd Session, 2019-2020

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Bill 4543


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A HOUSE RESOLUTION

TO COMMEND ST. MARK MARLBORO BAPTIST CHURCH OF MARLBORO COUNTY FOR ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-THREE YEARS OF MINISTRY AND SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY AND TO EXTEND WARMEST CONGRATULATIONS ON THE OCCASION OF THE CHURCH'S HISTORIC ANNIVERSARY.

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that St. Mark Marlboro Baptist Church will celebrate its one hundred twenty-third anniversary in 2019; and

Whereas, founded in 1896, St. Mark Marlboro Baptist Church is located in the Saw Mill section of Marlboro County, and the three acres on which the church was erected were purchased for ninety-two dollars and twenty cents; and

Whereas, for the first nine decades of the church, pastors included Reverend William Reese of Bennettsville; Reverend W. H. Shaw of Laurinburg, North Carolina; Reverend Ellerbe of Latta; Reverend Eagle of Latta; Reverend Butter of Hartsville; Reverend Posey of Bennettsville; Reverend Collins of Latta; Reverend W. J. Broady of McColl; Reverend William Ford, Jr., of Bennettsville; Reverend Henry Bethea of Bennettsville; Reverend James Woods of Clio; Reverend Seymour Gilchrist of Latta, under whose leadership the church was rebuilt in 1972, the third building erected since the church's founding; Reverend C. R. Johnson of Bennettsville, under whose pastorate the inside of the church was renovated; and

Whereas, Reverend Alexander Thomas of Bennettsville, led the church from the twentieth century and into the twenty-first, and during that time, the pulpit was widened, stained glass windows were purchased for the sanctuary, and two classrooms and a pastor's study were added onto the church. He retired in 2011 after faithfully serving as pastor for twenty-five years. Reverend Frank Broady, Sr., served as the associate pastor under Reverend Thomas; and

Whereas, Reverend Doris B. Smith was called to serve as pastor in November 2012 and began ministry at St. Mark Marlboro Baptist in January 2013. Reverend Frank Broady, Jr., associate minister, was called to the ministry and gave his initial sermon in 2010 under Pastor Thomas and was ordained under Reverend Smith. Minister Dr. Damien E. Johnson began preaching in 2016; and

Whereas, Reverend Alexander Thomas passed away in 2016, and later the Fellowship Hall was rededicated and named the Reverend Alexander Thomas Fellowship Hall in memory of the former and beloved pastor; and

Whereas, with a clear purpose, the church has sought to follow its mission of promoting the spiritual growth of all people through prayer, worship, teaching, and service by the power of the Holy Spirit; and

Whereas, St. Mark Marlboro Baptist Church has been a beacon of light in Marlboro County for more than a hundred twenty years, and by God's help, the congregation will continue its treasured heritage of worship and service for many years to come. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, commend St. Mark Marlboro Baptist Church of Marlboro County for one hundred twenty-three years of ministry and service to the community and to extend warmest congratulations on the occasion of the church's historic anniversary.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Pastor Doris B. Smith.

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