Honor Church’s 100th Anniversary

Senate Resolution No. 2091 BY: Senator MONTGOMERY COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of Mount Sinai Baptist 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 100th Anniversary of Mount Sinai Baptist Church of Brooklyn, New York; and WHEREAS, The First Union Baptist Mission Church was founded in 1919, by Reverend Willis B. Wyatt Founder and Pastor; the small storefront building was located on 25 Hunter Fly Place, and its first worship service, which was the funeral of Brother Allen Franklin, was held on

September 7, 1919; and WHEREAS, Following the funeral, the first official service was held by the Reverend Willis B. Wyatt at 11 a.m., with six members in attendance: Maggie Wyatt, Clara Fields, Louisa Mosley, Anna Jones, Jack Jones and Robert Hutchinson; and WHEREAS, Reverend Willis B. Wyatt established Sunday School on that same day, and Robert Hutchinson served as the first Acting Superintendents of Sunday School, which at the time had only five students enrolled in the program; and WHEREAS, The First Union Baptist Mission held its first monthly meeting in November of 1919; as membership began to increase, Pastor Willis B. Wyatt saw a need to establish a Deacon, Deaconess and Usher Board: the first Deacons were Brother Jack Jones, who was 92 years old, and Brothers James Butcher, Robert Brandom and William H. Johnston; the first Deaconesses were Sisters Louisa Mosley, Angeline Jones, Clara Fields and Ida Watkins; the Usher Board began with one usher, Sister Baylock; and WHEREAS, In March of 1920, the name of the First Union Baptist Mission was changed to the Mount Sinai Baptist Church by its members at a special meeting to give the church a permanent name and reflect its purposes and direction; and WHEREAS, Under the leadership of Reverend Paul Earl Jones, the membership at the Mount Sinai Baptist Church increased rapidly and it became necessary to search for a larger sanctuary; in 1951, a building at 107-09 Marion Street was purchased and the church moved in; it was dedicated in early 1954; and WHEREAS, In 1954, the attorney for the Mount Sinai Baptist Church informed the Trustees that the city was claiming all the property in the vicinity of Marion Street and the congregation began to look for a new home; and WHEREAS, The Mount Sinai Baptist Church purchased its current home at 241-45 Gates Avenue in July of 1955 and held its first service there on January 1, 1956; six months later, the congregation mourned the passing of its beloved Pastor, Reverend Paul Earl Jones on June 12,

1956; and WHEREAS, A year after the death of Reverend Paul Earl Jones, the Mount Sinai Baptist Church held a special meeting to elect a pastor, assisted by the Eastern Baptist Association; on September 1, 1957, Reverend William Lymon Lowe assumed his duties as the new pastor; and WHEREAS, After 27 years, Reverend William Lymon Lowe retired as Pastor of the Mount Sinai Baptist Church on June 30, 1984; in his place, the Pulpit Committee selected his assistant, Reverend Curtis L. Whitney, to lead the congregation. Reverend Curtis Leroy Whitney served as Pastor of Mount Sinai Baptist Church for 32 years retiring with 49 years in the ministry; and WHEREAS, Mt. Sinai Baptist Church under the leadership of Deacon Tyson Lillard, Chairman of the Deacon's Ministry and throughout its history has touched the lives of their congregants through the shining example of their leadership throughout the community, which is a testament to the devotion and admiration which they possess for their neighbors; the longevity of this enduring institution truly marks a milestone in a community's life's journey, an event of institutional triumph and joy; and WHEREAS, Mount Sinai Baptist Church of Brooklyn 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 Mount Sinai Baptist 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 The Reverend Dr. Curtis L. Whitney, Pastor Emeritus, Mount Sinai Baptist Church of Brooklyn, New York.