LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Durham
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in Bay Shore, 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
50th Anniversary of the Durham African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
in Bay Shore, New York; and
WHEREAS, In September 1959, Reverend John E. Durham founded the Brent-
wood African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in Bay Shore, New York;
service was held at the Pine Aire Civic Hall until it was destroyed by
fire in the spring of 1962, and then they were held at the Presbyterian
Church; and
WHEREAS, Realizing that they needed a place of worship of their own,
the congregation of the Brentwood African Methodist Episcopal Zion
Church purchased one half acre of land and Reverend John E. Durham and
his wife donated another three quarters of an acre of land; the first
edifice was completed and dedicated on December 8, 1963; and
WHEREAS, In 1972, the name of the Brentwood African Methodist Episco-
pal Zion Church was changed to the Durham African Methodist Episcopal
Zion Church; two years later, the original mortgage was paid off; and
WHEREAS, Membership in the Durham African Methodist Episcopal Zion
Church began to grow at a steady pace and the decision was made to
expand and a ground-breaking service was held in 1985; and
WHEREAS, In 1995, Reverend John Durham retired and Reverend Leonard A.
Edwards was assigned to the church the following year; like a fresh
spring breeze to the congregation and community, he immediately incorpo-
rated his concept of Visionary, seeing, believing and achieving and old
members came back and new ones joined; and
WHEREAS, With his ability to energize others for growth and outreach,
Reverend Leonard A. Edwards refurbished one half of the basement in
1999, which is currently an educational center for homeless children;
and
WHEREAS, Reverend Leonard A. Edwards also created an office of Chris-
tian Education, which the newly formed ministries of the Visionary
Education Center, Visionary Food Share Program, and Visionary Team Evan-
gelism are under; in 2000, he helped create the first Respite Center in
Suffolk County, a daytime waiting center for homeless families waiting
for placement; and
WHEREAS, In 2001, Reverend Leonard A. Edwards challenged the congre-
gation of the Durham African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church to
completely refurbish the entire building; since that time, the congre-
gation has completely remodeled the church sanctuary into an open style
pulpit which gives an inviting feel to the parishioners and can also be
removed for concerts and plays; and
WHEREAS, The Durham African Methodist Episcopal Zion 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 50th Anniversary of the Durham African Methodist Episco-
pal Zion Church in Bay Shore, 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 tran-
smitted to the Durham African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in Bay
Shore, New York.