LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 200th Anniversary of Ellery
Baptist Church

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to honor and commem-
orate the proud and distinguished histories of the people and communi-
ties which comprise the noble body of this great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 200th Anniversary of Ellery Baptist Church which is located in
the Town of Ellery, New York; and
WHEREAS, Ellery Baptist Church was the second Baptist Society to be
organized, but the first to build a house of worship in the Town of
Ellery; the society was organized with nine members in 1814 by Elder Asa
Turner, who was the first Pastor of the church and an early missionary
to Chautauqua County; and
WHEREAS, Ellery Baptist Church was officially incorporated on November
12, 1821; however, at the time the church was known as The Baptist
Church of Christ in Ellery; the first church building, which seated
approximately 200 people, was erected in 1830; it was located near the
corner of Luce Road and the Ellery Center-Jones Corner Road in the Town
of Ellery; and
WHEREAS, In 1858, the church was in need of repairs, and it was voted
upon to build a new and larger church; the new church opened for worship
in 1862; despite some opposition, in 1889, the church was renamed the
Ellery Baptist Church; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the years, there were many repairs and additions
made to the church; the church was wired for electricity in 1934;
repainted in 1959 and 75 new hymnals were purchased; in 1973, two rooms
upstairs and a room downstairs were redecorated with new carpet and
furniture; a parsonage and land were purchased next to the church in
1973; and a full basement, which included a kitchen and Fellowship Hall,
was added to the church in 1976; and
WHEREAS, The current pastor of Ellery Baptist Church, Steven Malanow-
ski, holds a Worship Service every Sunday morning; the church also has
youth, men's, and women's ministry programs; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to publicly recog-
nize and honor milestones in the history of churches large and small in
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 200th Anniversary of Ellery Baptist Church; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Pastor Steven Malanowski, Ellery Baptist Church.