Honor Church's 112th Anniversary

Senate Resolution No. 5804 BY: Senator HAMILTON COMMEMORATING the 112th Anniversary of the Ebenezer Wesleyan Methodist 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, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 112th Anniversary of the Ebenezer Wesleyan Methodist Church of Brooklyn, New York; and WHEREAS, On August 14, 1905, a small group of West Indian Methodists met in the home of Joseph Bridgewater at 200 Johnson Street in Brooklyn, New York, to discuss the organizing of a place of worship for the growing number of Wesleyan Methodists who were desirous of worshiping in the manner they were accustomed to; and WHEREAS, Brother A. B. Baker presided over the inaugural service on

September 3, 1905, at 118 Myrtle Avenue in Brooklyn; and WHEREAS, On June 25, 1906, the church was incorporated under the Laws of the State of New York as the Ebenezer Wesleyan Methodist Church; and WHEREAS, Soon after its inception, the church moved to 377 Hudson Avenue, where it also ran a Day School; and WHEREAS, The Brooklyn City Mission and the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island gave invaluable assistance to Brother Joseph Bridgewater and the Board of Trustees in purchasing the St. Augustine Church at 69 St. Edwards Street as is next place of worship; and WHEREAS, The Ebenezer Wesleyan Methodist Church was then relocated to the YMCA on Bedford Avenue, providing a temporary place of worship until it once again relocated to 387 Stuyvesant Avenue, where it remained for the next 12 years; and WHEREAS, In 1948, the Ebenezer Wesleyan Methodist Church purchased

1024 Bergen Street, and in August of the same year, a historic service was held amidst great rejoicing as the church had at last found its true home; and WHEREAS, Today, under the luminous direction of Reverend Edward L. Jenkins, Sr., the membership stands at approximately 295, with 20 classes and three associate preachers; and WHEREAS, The Ebenezer Wesleyan Methodist 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 112th Anniversary of the Ebenezer Wesleyan Methodist Church of Brooklyn, New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Reverend Edward L. Jenkins, Sr., Ebenezer Wesleyan Methodist Church, Brooklyn, New York.