LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 166th Anniversary of St. Paul's
United Methodist Church of Brooklyn, New York, celebrated on May 20,
2012

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
166th Anniversary of St. Paul's United Methodist Church of Brooklyn, New
York, celebrated on Sunday, May 20, 2012; and
WHEREAS, St. Paul's United Methodist Church can trace its roots back
to Williamsburg, Brooklyn, where in 1846 it began as a German Methodist
Church; in 1896 the Church was renamed to St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal
and was relocated to East 38th Street and Avenue D through a donation of
a plot of land; this building is now affectionately known as the "Chap-
el"; and
WHEREAS, In 1926 a merger took place with Reverend J.H.F. Bose as the
Pastor; the present Sanctuary had its cornerstone laid in the fall of
1928 and was dedicated in the spring of 1929; property was later
purchased at 3723 Clarendon Road in 1952 known today as the Parsonage, a
home where the current Pastor resides; and
WHEREAS, The year 1965 was a bench mark of transformation for the
community both demographically and culturally; in that year the church
became St. Paul's United Methodist Church of Vanderveer Park, by a merg-
er of United Brethren and Methodist Episcopal churches; at this time,
there was also a wave of Caribbean immigrants residing in East Flatbush,
who brought their heritage to enhance the worship experience of which
the congregation still enjoys today; and
WHEREAS, The great legacy of St. Paul's United Methodist Church is due
in great part to the following Pastors who served and their families:
Richard J. Rice, 1966-1973; James P. Veatch, Jr., 1973-1976; Thomas
Fisher, Jr., 1976-1983; Wesley Shand, 1986-1990; Johnny L. Caesar,
1990-1996; and Leonis A. Quinlan, Jr., 1996-2003; and
WHEREAS, In 2003, St. Paul's United Methodist Church welcomed Reverend
Delroy D. Murdock as its new Pastor, along with his wife, Pauline, both
of whom have brought a new commitment to the study of the word and the
richness to the spiritual growth of the church; and
WHEREAS, St. Paul's United Methodist 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 166th Anniversary of St. Paul's United Methodist Church
of Brooklyn, New York, observed on May 20, 2012, 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 Delroy D. Murdock, Pastor, St. Paul's United Metho-
dist Church.