LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 80th Anniversary of Mt. Pisgah
Baptist Church of Brooklyn, New York, to be celebrated on Monday, June
29, 2009

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
80th Anniversary of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church of Brooklyn, New York, to
be celebrated on Monday, June 29, 2009, at Russo's On The Bay in Howard
Beach, New York; and
WHEREAS, Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church stands on the threshold of tomor-
row, prepared to meet the challenges of the coming decades while retain-
ing that spiritual resolve which characterizes its past; and
WHEREAS, On Wednesday, September 19, 1929, Reverend Salina A. Perry
began her mission in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn; the mission
grew to become the Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Perry canvassed the neighborhood in search of indi-
viduals to join her mission; the first day, 28 people joined the
mission; and
WHEREAS, Mt. Pisgah moved into its first edifice, 754 Quincy Street on
June 5, 1939; auxiliaries were formed such as: the Gospel Chorus, Boy
Scouts, Friendly Service Club, Busy Bee Club, and the Evelyn Brown Club;
and
WHEREAS, A meeting was held on Monday, September 24, 1978, and the
congregation voted overwhelmingly to purchase the old St. Ambrose Roman
Catholic Church; on Sunday, January 7, 1979, Mt. Pisgah moved into their
new church home which consisted of a beautiful sanctuary that seats
1000, a school consisting of 16 classrooms, an auditorium which seats
500, a convent and a rectory each with 30 rooms; and
WHEREAS, A year later, the Mt. Pisgah Christian Academy opened in the
fall of 1980 with students ranging from Pre-K through 8th Grade; in
2007, the school was renamed the George H. Murray Christian Academy
after the founder and in September of 2008, it was merged with the John-
ny Ray Youngblood Academy; and
WHEREAS, Ably led by Reverend Johnny Ray Youngblood, Mt. Pisgah
continues to prosper today and into the future; 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 80th Anniversary of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church of Brook-
lyn, New York, to be celebrated on Monday, June 29, 2009, fully confi-
dent 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 tran-
smitted to Reverend Johnny Ray Youngblood, Pastor, Mt. Pisgah Baptist
Church, Brooklyn, New York.