LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 110th Anniversary of Newman
Memorial United Methodist Church of Brooklyn, New York, to be celebrated
on November 6, 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
110th Anniversary of Newman Memorial United Methodist Church of Brook-
lyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, The members of Newman Memorial United Methodist Church will
celebrate this most auspicious occasion on Saturday, November 6, 2010,
at a ceremonious Dinner Dance, a "Black and White Affair," honoring
Sister Lucille Urquhart, Brother Clarence Brown and Brother Jamell
Myers, at Fleur De Lis, Ridgewood, New York; and
WHEREAS, Newman Memorial United Methodist Church started as a congre-
gation in June 1900 as a result of a strong desire to spread Methodism
in Brooklyn by Reverend W.H. Brooks and a few members from St. Marks
Methodist Church in New York City; some of its founding members were Mr.
D. Ivision Hodge, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Walker, Mrs. Esther Gibson, Mrs.
Sarah Snails, Mr. Perry Wilson, Mrs. Mattie Bundick and Mrs. Carrie
Davis; and
WHEREAS, In October 1900, Newman Memorial was established and admitted
to the New York East conference as a mission of St. Marks Methodist
Church with Reverend W.H. Brooks as Pastor; the name Newman Memorial was
chosen in honor of Bishop John Phillip Newman who, during the Civil War,
established New Orleans University, which is now known as Dillard
University; in addition, Bishop John Phillip Newman was instrumental in
the formation of Butler Memorial Methodist Church in the Bronx and revi-
talized Salem Methodist Church; Bishop John Phillip Newman also served
as the pastor of Washington Square Methodist Church and organized the
Metropolitan United Methodist Church in Washington, D.C., which is the
National Church of Methodism; and
WHEREAS, The first building that the congregation occupied was a
little frame house converted to a church and was known as the Old Embury
Church at Herkimer Street and Schenectady Avenue; in April 1901, Rever-
end M.C. Jennings was confirmed as the local pastor and Newman Memorial
was transferred to the Delaware conference; due to the increase of
growth in membership, the congregation had to move in January 1905 to a
building at 629-631 Herkimer Street and remained there until 1919; in
1919, Newman Memorial relocated to the Russell Place Methodist Church
building which was located at 1142 Herkimer Street; this location was
known as "On the Hill" and the congregation remained at this location to
worship for 26 years; and
WHEREAS, On January 7, 1945, under the leadership of Reverend Robert
G. Waters, Newman Memorial moved to its present location which is 257
Macon Street; and
WHEREAS, Under the leadership of Reverend Henri M. Deas, Newman Memo-
rial Church joined the United Methodist Church denomination and became
known as Newman Memorial United Methodist Church; during Reverend Deas'
tenure, the church became more involved with spreading its ministry to
the community and purchased the Halsey Street property; and
WHEREAS, Newman Memorial United Methodist Church continues to serve
the community with its weekly Food Pantry program, which is sponsored by

the United Methodist Women local chapter, and the Soup Kitchen program,
which is sponsored by the Newman Memorial United Methodist Church Devel-
opment Corporation, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, Newman Memorial United Methodist Church 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 110th Anniversary of Newman Memorial United Methodist
Church of Brooklyn, New York, to be observed on November 6, 2010, 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 copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Newman Memorial United Methodist Church and the aforemen-
tioned honorees.