Honor Church's 100th Anniversary

Senate Resolution No. 119 BY: Senator COMRIE COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of Springfield Gardens Church of the Nazarene on November 4, 2018 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 100th Anniversary of Springfield Gardens Church of the Nazarene; this momentous occasion was celebrated with a Centennial Service, "A Faithfull Past Embracing a Hopeful Future," on Sunday,

November 4, 2018, at Throop Memorial Presbyterian Church, Rosedale, New York; and WHEREAS, In March of 1918, the Reverend Paul Hill, District Superintendent of the Pentecostal Church of the Nazarene, organized Springfield Gardens Pentecostal Church of the Nazarene with 14 charter members; and WHEREAS, Originally located on New York Avenue, Reverend George Howard Rowe served as the congregation's first pastor; the church was officially incorporated in November of 1919, and the foreign and missions board was organized on May 6, 1919; and WHEREAS, During its humble beginnings, the influence of worldly standards forced the church to be strict in its method of accepting members, resulting in very slow growth; and WHEREAS, By 1926, the church was undergoing financial struggles and was forced to sell its existing building before acquiring a new property on Farmers Avenue, now known as Farmers Boulevard; the new building was completed in 1933, and dedicated in 1934, under the outstanding leadership of Reverend William Stringham; and WHEREAS, The area of Springfield Gardens began to experience significant demographic changes in the early 1950s; with the newly generated business of Kennedy International Airport, shopping malls, and other small businesses, new schools and places of worship began to fill the area; subsequently, the congregation of Springfield Gardens Church of the Nazarene experienced a significant drop in attendance; and WHEREAS, In 1960, the New York District urged Springfield Gardens Church of the Nazarene to sell its existing property, but the small congregation pledged to keep the ministry going at all costs, and by

1970, it began to flourish once again; and WHEREAS, Throughout its storied history, Springfield Gardens Church of the Nazarene was led by Reverend S. Reynolds Mayberry, Reverend Charles K. Heisel, Reverend Alfred Mason, Reverend Fred Hughes, Reverend Louis Gardenhire, Reverend Claude Edun and Reverend Samuel A. Wilson who served the church for 14 years; and WHEREAS, Reverend Rudyard Morgan served as Assistant Pastor to Reverend Wilson for six years, and Reverend Paul E. Williams served the church for eight years until his death on February 26, 2006, when Reverend Lenroy C. S. Pascall was installed as the new pastor; during this time, attendance grew rapidly and two morning services were offered; and WHEREAS, Today, Springfield Gardens Church of the Nazarene offers numerous programs and organizations for the needs of its members, including expanded ministries in prayer, Bible study, worship, Evangelism, youth outreach, marriage enrichment, praise dance, communications and technology; and WHEREAS, Under Pastor Lenroy C. S. Pascall's luminous direction, Springfield Gardens Church of the Nazarene 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 100th Anniversary of Springfield Gardens Church of the Nazarene on November 4, 2018; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Reverend Lenroy C. S. Pascall, Senior Pastor, Springfield Gardens Church of the Nazarene, Jamaica, New York.