Honor Rugby Church Anniversary

Senate Resolution No. 4042 BY: Senator PARKER COMMEMORATING the 105th Anniversary of The Rugby Deliverance Tabernacle Church of Brooklyn, New York WHEREAS, Religious institutions, and the many spiritual, social and educational benefits they confer, play a vital role in the development of the moral fabric of a responsible citizenry; and WHEREAS, It is the tradition of this State and this Nation to pay tribute to those institutions and individuals who have contributed to the ethical and spiritual values of their communities; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body takes pleasure in commemorating the 105th Anniversary of The Rugby Deliverance Tabernacle Church of Brooklyn, New York, which was celebrated with three great worship services on Sunday, February 25, 2018; and WHEREAS, The history of the church began in 1907, when a number of the residents from the Rugby community of Brooklyn, New York, gathered together for weekly prayer meetings in their individual homes; six years later, on February 14, 1913, the church was incorporated as The Rugby Congregational Church; and WHEREAS, The forefathers of the Church were primarily made up of working class English, Scottish, Irish, German and Scandinavian immigrants; as the church grew and positively impacted the community, it was necessary to purchase land for a larger sanctuary which was completed in 1921; the current sanctuary building was completed in June of 1928; and WHEREAS, Throughout its early history, the church was blessed with leaders of vision and dedication who managed to keep the church functioning through the Great Depression and World War II; Rugby Church participated in many notable city-wide events and campaigns to improve the lives of the community it served, including financial support for World War refugees, plays and orchestra concerts for the community, and participation in city-wide events in support of young people; and WHEREAS, Rugby Church was also a meeting center for many civic and religious organizations; the changes and development throughout the next decades were marked by hard work, dedication and wise financial management with the result of the retirement of the mortgage before the Church's 50th anniversary on December 9, 1962; the congregation continued to reflect the changing community with new immigrants from the Caribbean in the 1970s and 1980s; and WHEREAS, A significant turning point in the history of the church came with the introduction of its current pastor, Archbishop Dr. Sidley Mullings in 1987; Dr. Mullings was officially installed on January 27,

1992; and WHEREAS, Under Dr. Mullings's leadership, the Church now has both a local and global vision; he has been very instrumental in the tremendous growth of the membership of the church and its impact on local communities and across the globe; on January 11, 2003, the name of the church was officially changed to become The Rugby Deliverance Tabernacle to reflect the nature of the vision and service of the church; and WHEREAS, Over the past 30 years under Archbishop Mullings, The Rugby Deliverance Tabernacle has made an indelible impact on the Brooklyn community; and WHEREAS, The Rugby Deliverance Tabernacle Church stands on the threshold of tomorrow, prepared to meet the challenges of the coming decades while retaining that spiritual resolve which characterizes its past; and WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to take note of enduring religious institutions and to bring such institutions to the attention of the people of this Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the 105th Anniversary of The Rugby Deliverance Tabernacle Church of Brooklyn, New York, fully confident that this commemoration reflects the belief in those values which enhance the dignity and purpose of life; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Archbishop Dr. Sidley R. Mullings, Pastor, The Rugby Deliverance Tabernacle Church of Brooklyn, New York.