Honor Church’s 100th Anniversary

Senate Resolution No. 622 BY: Senator O'MARA COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of Friendship Baptist Church of Corning, 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 100th Anniversary of Friendship Baptist Church of Corning, New York; this Centennial Celebration kicked off with a Formal Soiree on Friday, February 15, 2019, followed by a Saturday morning brunch and Sunday Mass; and WHEREAS, Friendship Baptist Church can trace its roots back to 1908, approximately 11 years before its official founding; that first church, the Beulah Baptist Church, was located on East Market Street and was led by Reverend H.T. Hogan; and WHEREAS, The first church only survived one year, and upon its closing, members of the congregation met and prayed in each other's homes before focusing their efforts on organizing a Baptist church of their own; and WHEREAS, In 1919, this new house of worship, erected at the corner of Denison Parkway and Pearl Street, was called Friendship Baptist Church, in memory of the church in Troy, New York, from which most of its members had come; and WHEREAS, As the church's membership grew, so did its prominence, and Friendship Baptist Church quickly became a recognized and accepted component of the Corning community; and WHEREAS, Today, Friendship Baptist Church offers numerous programs and organizations for the needs of its members, and remains true to its mission to serve others and give back to the community; and WHEREAS, Under the luminous direction of Reverend Lorri Thornton, Friendship 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 100th Anniversary of Friendship Baptist Church of Corning, New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Reverend Lorri Thornton, Friendship Baptist Church, Corning, New York.