LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 165th Anniversary of Concord
Baptist Church of Christ of Brooklyn, New York, to be celebrated on June
22, 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
165th Anniversary of Concord Baptist Church of Christ of Brooklyn, New
York, to be celebrated at a banquet on Friday, June 22, 2012; and
WHEREAS, On May 18, 1847, more than fifteen years before the Emancipa-
tion Proclamation, four brave members of the Abyssinian Baptist Church:
John Washington, Hagar Washington, Sarah Dudley and Maria Hampton, felt
they could no longer endure the hardship of travel across the East River
to attend church in Manhattan; and
WHEREAS, Subsequently, they invited David Pearson of Amity Baptist
Church and Reverend Sampson White, Pastor of Abyssinian Baptist Church
to meet with them at 6 Fair Street in Brooklyn to discuss finding a
place of worship nearer to their homes; and
WHEREAS, After discussion and prayer, the Concord Street Baptist
Church was founded; Reverend White accepted the call to serve as its
first pastor on that very night; and
WHEREAS, The church made little progress until 22 year old Reverend
William T. Dixon, became its sixth pastor in 1863; he was able to unite
the church; and helped to add more than 1800 members to the fellowship;
and
WHEREAS, Heralded as the "Dean of Colored Pastors" and the "Pastor of
all of Brooklyn," Reverend William T. Dixon's leadership was instru-
mental in joining the Long Island Baptist Association, the New York
State Colored Baptist Convention and the New England Baptist Convention;
and
WHEREAS, Another of Concord Baptist Church of Christ's illustrious
pastors, the Reverend James B. Adams, helped to institute community
outreach programs never before attempted by Black congregations in Amer-
ica; and
WHEREAS, In 1939, Reverend Adams secured the Marcy Avenue edifice for
Concord; this edifice was the largest church building in the area; it
had a large gymnasium and other facilities never before enjoyed by the
congregation; and
WHEREAS, Since October 1990, Dr. Gary V. Simpson has ably and nobly
led Concord Baptist Church of Christ; and
WHEREAS, Under his leadership, Concord Baptist Church of Christ
continues its legacy of compassionate congregational ministry through
deliberate community outreach in Brooklyn and beyond; and
WHEREAS, Concord Baptist Church of Christ has established the Concord
Community Development Corporation which provides services to families,
children, and neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, The congregation has partnered with Downstate Medical Center
and others who provide awareness programs regarding diabetes, heart
disease, prostate and breast cancer, hypertension, and HIV/AIDS; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Concord Baptist Church of Christ conducts blood
drives for the Brooklyn/New York Blood Bank annually; and

WHEREAS, Concord Baptist Church of Christ 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 165th Anniversary of Concord Baptist Church of Christ of
Brooklyn, New York, to be observed on June 22, 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 Concord Baptist Church of Christ, Brooklyn, New York.