Honor Little Zion’s 90th Anniversary

28 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 90th Anniversary of the Church of God in Christ Little Zion of Freeport, New York, and to pay tribute to Bishop Frank Anthone White for 28 years of devoted service; and WHEREAS, For nine decades, the Church of God in Christ Little Zion has stood as a landmark house of worship in the Village of Freeport; and WHEREAS, A "Beacon of Hope" and a prominent center of spiritual enrichment for families across Long Island, the Church of God in Christ Little Zion has served as a viable force, meeting the spiritual and emotional needs of its population; and WHEREAS, In 1929, a small group of Christians assembled with the common goal to bring a church to Freeport; amidst the slowly advancing times, slackened all the more by the Great Depression, prayer and supplication led to the establishment of a small mission on Sunrise Highway just across from the Cotton Inn; and WHEREAS, Among the early founders of the Church of God in Christ Little Zion were: Mother Gordon, Mother Valentine, Elder F. Parker, and Elder Herbert E. Fletcher who would become the church's first pastor; its succession of pastors as the church's existence took shape was Elder Fletcher, followed by Elder Walls and Elder Paul Craig; and WHEREAS, After the resignation of Elder Craig in the late 1930s, Elder Lafayette Winbush became the next pastor, serving for 18 years; during his tenure, he made significant contributions, including naming the church; and WHEREAS, Under the able leadership of Elder Lafayette Winbush, the Church of God in Christ Little Zion was officially incorporated on

September 25, 1944; shortly after its incorporation, 19 Helen Avenue was purchased from the Second Baptist Church; this location would become the church's home for the next 28 years; and WHEREAS, Superintendent S.L. Osburn led the Church of God in Christ Little Zion for a short time, before Elder Carol Cox became the next spiritual leader; and WHEREAS, From 1956 to 1972, Bishop Otha Miema Kelly, Jurisdictional Prelate of Eastern New York, served as Zion's pastor; although he did not initially come to stay, he remained at the helm of the church for 16 years; and WHEREAS, On November 26, 1972, the Church of God in Christ Little Zion opened its doors at its new location at 312 Grand Avenue; during this time, Bishop Kelly passed the mantle to Elder Frank White; this was the first time in the church's history that there was a young pastor, complimented by the support of an endearing wife, raising a family, at the helm of the church; and WHEREAS, Elder Frank White's eldest child and only son, Frank Anthone, played an active role in the ministry; a musical genius, he served as organist at the church, started his own musical group, The Voices of Truth, and hosted musical events regularly; these activities served as a supplemental magnet to attract young people to the Zion Experience, and as such, Sunday and weekly services continued to increase in size; and WHEREAS, In only 10 years, the Church of God in Christ Little Zion's mortgage was paid off with renovations soon following to accommodate the growing congregation; and WHEREAS, In 1988, the Church of God in Christ Little Zion's Pastor, Superintendent Frank O. White, was consecrated Prelate of the newly-formed Third Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, Eastern New York, Church of God in Christ, Inc.; upon his return from the 1991 Holy Convocation in Memphis, Tennessee, he appointed the Elder Frank Anthone White as Little Zion's Assistant Pastor; and WHEREAS, The Ministry of the Preached Word, the talent and the business management expertise of Elder Frank Anthone White attracted hundreds of souls to Zion; seven years after being named Assistant Pastor, he was appointed Co-Pastor of the Church of God in Christ Little Zion; and WHEREAS, On September 8, 2001, the ceremonial ground breaking for Zion's new Cathedral took place; one year later, on September 16, 2002, it was time to say good-bye to the edifice Little Zion called home for

30 years; and WHEREAS, On the morning of April 23, 2003, tons of steel and other construction materials were delivered to the excavated site at 312 Grand Avenue to begin the construction of the building which would become known as "The House that Prayer Built"; and WHEREAS, Today, under the luminous direction of Bishop Frank Anthone White, the Church of God in Christ Little Zion 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 90th Anniversary of the Church of God in Christ Little Zion of Freeport, New York, and paying tribute to Bishop Frank Anthone White for 28 years of devoted service; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Bishop Frank Anthone White, the Church of God in Christ Little Zion.