1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A HOUSE RESOLUTION 10 11 TO CELEBRATE THE JOYOUS OCCASION OF THE ONE 12 HUNDRED TWENTYSEVENTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 13 NEW ST. MATTHEW MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH AND 14 TO CONGRATULATE AND COMMEND REVEREND 15 FRANKLIN WASHINGTON AND THE CONGREGATION 16 FOR THEIR YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE 17 BENNETTSVILLE COMMUNITY. 18 19 Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of 20 Representatives are pleased to learn that the New St. Matthew 21 Missionary Baptist Church will celebrate its one hundred 22 twentyseventh anniversary this year; and 23 24 Whereas, 1890 is believed to be the year of birth for New St. 25 Matthew Missionary Baptist Church. It is thought that the church 26 began as a brush harbor, a make shift church. Legend has it that 27 the brush was called “Cashaway Ferry Brush Harbor” after the 28 name of the road that ran past it. The brush was located about a 29 mile east of the present location of St. Matthew; and 30 31 Whereas, the first pastor was Reverend Walter S. Sanders in 1896. 32 Reverend J. R. Prince became the pastor in 1910. Documents show 33 that a purchase of land was made on November 13, 1897. The deed 34 was later recorded in February 1902; and 35 36 Whereas, Reverend A. T. Campbell was the third pastor, followed 37 by Reverend Mack Lester. Reverend J. A. Alsbrook became the 38 fifth pastor and served for twentytwo years. Reverend E. B. Mason 39 followed in 1955, and Reverend Solomon was his successor, both 40 serving short terms. In 1958, Reverend Grady Ware became 41 pastor, and under his administration, the church, which originally 42 had two steeples, was renovated and reduced to one steeple; and

[4082] 1 1 2 Whereas, Deacons W. M. (Will) Johnson, William Henry Clark, 3 W. M. (Bill) Miller, and John Stackhouse are some legendary 4 names that remain in the hearts of the older and younger 5 generations; and 6 7 Whereas, when the church was founded, it was called St. Matthew 8 Chapel, potentially due to its use as a place for public assembly 9 such as school events; and 10 11 Whereas, in 1973, Reverend W. C. Graham began his tenure. 12 Under his charge, the church’s appearance changed once again to a 13 brick structure, adding three Sunday School rooms, a pastoral 14 study, dining and cooking area, two choir areas, nurses station, 15 playroom, and new lighting; and 16 17 Whereas, following Reverend Graham, Reverend Harry McGill, 18 Jr., became pastor. In 1984, Reverend J. W. Cannady commenced 19 his time as pastor and erected the present structure of St. Matthew. 20 He also installed the first woman trustee and formed the first mass 21 choir, subsequently named The J. W. Cannady Mass Choir; and 22 23 Whereas, Reverend Rufus Johnson, Jr., succeeded Reverend 24 Cannady. He established the R. J. Johnson scholarship, which a 25 short time later became the New St. Matthew, Johnsons 26 Scholarship. After approximately four years, he was called home 27 to the Lord, and Reverend Markel Graham became pastor. He 28 served for three years and was followed by Reverend George 29 Washington, who added the baptismal pool; and 30 31 Whereas, in 2014, a new church sign was added, and in 2015, 32 Reverend Franklin Washington took the helm as pastor and 33 spiritual leader; and 34 35 Whereas, the House of Representatives is pleased to honor the 36 legacy celebrated by the New St. Matthew Missionary Baptist 37 Church and wishes the congregation many more glorious 38 anniversaries to come. Now, therefore, 39 40 Be it resolved by the House of Representatives: 41 42 That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, 43 by this resolution, celebrate the joyous occasion of the one

[4082] 2 1 hundred twentyseventh anniversary of the New St. Matthew 2 Missionary Baptist Church and congratulate and commend 3 Reverend Franklin Washington and the congregation for their 4 years of dedicated service to the Bennettsville community. 5 6 Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to 7 the New St. Matthew Missionary Baptist Church. 8 XX 9

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