LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 125th Anniversary of the First
A.M.E. Zion Church of Brooklyn, New York, to be celebrated on Saturday,
September 25, 2010

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
125th Anniversary of the First A.M.E. Zion Church of Brooklyn, New York,
to be celebrated on Saturday, September 25, 2010; and
WHEREAS, In the year 1872, a group of members decided to withdraw from
Bridge Street AME Church and organize another church; in 1885 there was
another schism under the pastorate of Reverend Peyton who took the
greater part of the congregation with him to a new location on Atlantic
Avenue, leaving behind 15 members; and
WHEREAS, In that same year, these stalwart souls applied to the New
York Annual Conference of the African Methodist Zion Church, which was
at that time in session in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, in the Union AME Zion
Church (later the Ralph Avenue and now the Varick Memorial AME Zion
Church); this application was for admission into the AME Zion
Connection; and
WHEREAS, Some of the "glorious" 15 members include: Simon G. Buchanan,
Moses Richards, Charles Taylor, Michael J. Ferguson, John R. Johnson,
Annie C. Randall, Fannie Richards and Hannah Taylor; and
WHEREAS, First A.M.E 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 125th Anniversary of the First A.M.E. Zion 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 tran-
smitted to Reverend Daran H. Mitchell, Pastor, First A.M.E. Zion Church,
Brooklyn, New York.