LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 80th Anniversary of The Greater
Saint Mary Church of Christ of Brooklyn, New York, to be celebrated on
July 19, 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 The Greater Saint Mary Church of Christ of Brooklyn,
New York, to be celebrated on Friday, July 31, 2009; and
WHEREAS, The Greater Saint Mary Church of Christ owes its beginning to
Brothers Isaiah Atkinson and Freeman Atkinson, in whose home regular
prayer meetings were held, as well as Elder O.S. Lucas and Sister Char-
tie Collins, who conducted these gatherings; and
WHEREAS, On December 1, 1929, the founders sent to North Carolina for
a Pastor; after many successful meetings and a special ten day prayer
vigil, the congregation was organized and named Saint Mary Church of
Christ, Disciples of Christ; and
WHEREAS, Some of its distinguished pastors during this time included:
Reverend H.T. Williams, (1930 to 1945); Reverend J. W. Atkinson (1945 to
1950); and Reverend Z. Anderson (1950 to 1952); and
WHEREAS, During this period, the church moved from the site of its
original location on Ralph Avenue to 1777 Atlantic Avenue and then to
1239 Bedford Avenue; it was at this location in October 1952, that Elder
James Wilburt Gardner was appointed the fourth pastor of the congre-
gation; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the pastorate of Bishop James Wilburt Gardner, The
Greater Saint Mary Church of Christ made rapid progress; it moved from
the site of his appointment, to 237 Sumner Avenue, and then to its pres-
ent location, 493-5 Monroe Street; this property was purchased in 1959;
with constant hard work by its faithful members, the church grew and
laid the cornerstone on July 19, 1970; and
WHEREAS, On November 14, 1990, Elder James Ronald Chambers was
installed as the fifth pastor of the congregation; under his leadership,
the church has both flourished and matured spiritually; and
WHEREAS, In 1992, The Greater Saint Mary Church of Christ affiliated
with the United Pentecostal Churches of Christ (now known as The United
Covenant Churches of Christ International); and
WHEREAS, Elder James R. Chambers was appointed as the Overseer of the
Northeastern Province of the Church, and was consecrated as Bishop in
the Lord's Church on August 21, 1993, in Cleveland, Ohio; Bishop Cham-
bers now serves the National Church as the Secretary-General, Secretary
of the College of Bishops, Military Vicar and a member of the General
Board; and
WHEREAS, In the past several years many improvements have been made to
the physical structure of The Greater Saint Mary Church of Christ
including the construction of audio and visual ministries, which enables
services to be recorded so that they may be sent to those who are unable
to attend; and
WHEREAS, The Greater Saint Mary Church of Christ launched its "City of
Hope" on the first Sunday in May of 2007; this project entails complet-
ing the renovations of its present worship site as well as several
expansions of ministry initiatives through the Community Development
Corporation-SaMar Community Development Corporation (CDC); and

WHEREAS, The Community Development Corporation will open a Day Care
Academy as well as an elementary school, sober/transitional housing, a
Crisis Intervention Center, The Mary Elizabeth House for battered women
and much more; and
WHEREAS, The Greater Saint Mary Church of Christ stands on the thresh-
old 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 80th Anniversary of The Greater Saint Mary Church of
Christ of Brooklyn, New York, to be observed on July 31, 2009, 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 tran-
smitted to The Greater Saint Mary Church of Christ, 493-5 Monroe Street,
Brooklyn, New York.