LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the New
York Landmarks Conservancy's Sacred Sites Program for the Historic
Rugged Cross Baptist Church

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
25th Anniversary of the New York Landmarks Conservancy's Sacred Sites
Program for the Historic Rugged Cross Baptist Church; this auspicious
occasion will be at an Open House weekend, to be held on May 21-22,
2011, at the Historic Rugged Cross Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York;
and
WHEREAS, The Historic Rugged Cross Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New
York, is a historic landmark building which proudly rests on the
original property of the Christ English Evangelical Lutheran Church
established in 1895; and
WHEREAS, The famous architects, Dodge and Morrison, constructed the
Christ English Evangelical Lutheran Church with character defining
features of the Romanesque Revival ecclesiastical architecture, design-
ing round-arch windows and door openings with contrast masonry framing
the exterior of the sanctuary with cream colored rusticated brickwork
and ornate terra cotta trim; and
WHEREAS, The Historic Rugged Cross Baptist Church also boasts grand
sweeping German pictorial stained glass windows designed by the world
renowned studio of Meyer of Munich; and
WHEREAS, In 2007, the Historic Rugged Cross Baptist Church was listed
on both the New York State and National Registers of Historic Places by
the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preserva-
tion; it is also an award recipient of the New York Landmarks
Conservancy's Robert W. Wilson Sacred Sites Challenge grant; and
WHEREAS, The Historic Rugged Cross Baptist Church was established by
the late Pastor Reverend Desha Moten in May 1966; its current Pastor,
Reverend Dr. Emma J. Knox was installed in October 1996; and
WHEREAS, Under the superb spiritual leadership of Pastor. Reverend Dr.
Emma S. Knox, the Historic Rugged Cross Baptist Church is involved in
myriad community activities, including its Bible Institute, Thanksgiving
Feast, Toys for Tots, Angel Tree Ministry, Youth Ministries, Sisters of
Salvation, Ambassadors for Christ and Summer Youth Employment Program;
and
WHEREAS, The Historic Rugged Cross Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New
York, stands on the threshold of tomorrow, prepared to meet the chal-
lenges 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 25th Anniversary of the New York Landmarks Conservancy's
Sacred Sites Program for the Historic Rugged Cross Baptist Church, 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 Historic Rugged Cross Baptist Church, 1084 Lafayette
Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11221.