08 LC 95
0662
Senate
Resolution 1153
By:
Senators Fort of the 39th and Reed of the 35th
A
RESOLUTION
Recognizing
New Grant Chapel AME Church on the occasion of its 114th anniversary; and for
other purposes.
WHEREAS,
in the early 1880's, before East Point, Georgia, was incorporated as a city, the
black families held worship celebrations under a brush arbor near the Southern
Woods Cresote Company; and
WHEREAS,
these original worshipers decided to organize the first African Methodist
Episcopal Church in East Point, Georgia, and in 1894 the Grant Chapel African
Methodist Episcopal Church was officially organized and named in honor of Bishop
Abraham Grant; and
WHEREAS,
Reverend Glenn was pastor during this early period, and under his leadership a
building for worship and a school for formal education were constructed, and in
1912, Grant Chapel moved to the top of Bayard Street, where the members built a
white plank-batten board church with Gothic design doors and windows;
and
WHEREAS,
Grant Chapel AME Church during this period became an even greater force with
several pastors and members engaging in the mission and ministry of the church;
and
WHEREAS,
Reverend Thomas R. Morgan, who was an experienced carpenter and builder, led the
people to erect a new worship facility, with the members purchasing the
materials and Pastor Morgan working diligently with his own hands along with
others; and
WHEREAS,
in 1961, Reverend Hosie Edward Terrell was appointed to Grant Chapel AME Church
and served for the next 27 years with distinction as a pastor, stable family
man, civil rights leader, community activist, connectional churchman, and church
builder; and
WHEREAS,
under his leadership the church grew, and in 1971, a beautiful modern state of
the art sanctuary was erected, and the church was renamed New Grant Chapel
African Methodist Episcopal Church; and
WHEREAS,
from 1988 through 1997, Reverend Ben Fortson served faithfully, after which
Reverend Dr. Roosevelt Morris was appointed to serve New Grant from 1997 until
2000 when Reverend Brian A. Hart was appointed, staying until 2004;
and
WHEREAS,
Reverend Spencer Lamar Booker became the pastor in 2004 and under his leadership
the church continues to grow spiritually and in size with renovations such as a
balcony for more seating, a sacristy stewardess room, a refurbished fellowship
hall and corridors, and a new roof, windows, kitchen, conference room,
secretary/finance commission suite, and pastor's office; and
WHEREAS,
the services at New Grant Chapel AME Church are heard every Saturday morning on
1260 AM WTJH, and the book is still open – God is not finished developing
the ministry of New Grant Church.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body join
together to recognize New Grant Chapel AME Church on the occasion of its 114th
anniversary and commend its members on their exemplary service to their
community and this state.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to New Grant Chapel AME
Church.