Honor Church’s 89th Anniversary

Senate Resolution No. 1066 BY: Senator BROOKS COMMEMORATING the 89th Anniversary of the Greater Second Baptist Church of Freeport, New York, and paying tribute to The Reverend Dr. Eric Charles Mallette for 23 years of devoted service 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 is justly proud to commemorate the 89th Anniversary of the Greater Second Baptist Church of Freeport, New York, and to pay tribute to The Reverend Dr. Eric Charles Mallette for

23 years of devoted service; and WHEREAS, On April 6, 1930, Reverend E. M. Griffin, J. P. M. Anderson, Homer Yearby, Ralph Eberhardt, George Bullock, Charles Nick, Ossie Haynes, Margaret Gray, and Mary E. Tyes, answered the call of Reverend Jones at his home, 80 Alexander Avenue in Freeport, New York; and WHEREAS, Within months, the mission moved to 154 East Merrick Road, where a meeting was held on June 30, 1930, for the purpose of organizing the mission into a church; this newly organized church was named Second Baptist Church; and WHEREAS, Reverend William Jones became the first pastor, serving from 1930-1937, with Reverend E. M. Griffin as the Assistant Pastor; on

129 East Merrick Road, containing a small church building, was purchased as the new site and church home on April 21, 1933; and WHEREAS, Under the leadership of Reverend R. G. Harris (1938-1953), indoor bathrooms and a new heating system were installed, new pews were purchased, the existing mortgage was liquidated, and a parsonage was purchased at 17 Helen Avenue; and WHEREAS, The third pastor, Reverend F. H. Davis, served from 1953 until 1955, during which time the Alpha, Beta and Gamma clubs were organized; and WHEREAS, Reverend Dr. E. Mitchell Mallette (Bishop) served as the fourth pastor from April of 1956, until his death on June 26, 1998; ordained at just 16 years old, this extraordinary man's Gospel Preaching acclaimed him a National and International Evangelist; and WHEREAS, Today, the Greater Second Baptist Church is led by Reverend Dr. Eric Charles Mallette, who was installed as Co-Pastor on June 16,

1996, and as Pastor after the death of Reverend Dr. E. Mitchell Mallette in 1998; and WHEREAS, Throughout his illustrious tenure thus far, Reverend Dr. Eric Charles Mallette has enhanced the church's membership both spiritually and numerically; he orchestrated the renaming and street memorial sign dedication on the corner of Liberty Park to Dr. E. Mitchell Mallette Drive, started boys and girls mentoring programs, instituted weekly Bible study and formed a Golden Age Society for seniors; and WHEREAS, Reverend Dr. Eric Charles Mallette, by unanimous vote of the entire membership of the Greater Second Baptist Church, was bestowed the title of Lifetime Pastor on March 4, 2001; he has tremendous love for his work and his commitment to the Lord is exemplified by his teachings and actions; and WHEREAS, Under the luminous direction of Reverend Dr. Eric Charles Mallette, the Greater Second Baptist 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 89th Anniversary of the Greater Second Baptist Church of Freeport, New York, and paying tribute to The Reverend Dr. Eric Charles Mallette for 23 years of devoted service; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Reverend Dr. Eric Charles Mallette, Greater Second Baptist Church.