LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Historic Rugged Cross Baptist
Church upon the occasion of hosting a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony in recog-
nition of its newly renovated Main Sanctuary on July 2, 2016

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 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 is justly proud to commend the Historic
Rugged Cross Baptist Church upon the occasion of hosting a Ribbon
Cutting Ceremony in recognition of its newly renovated Main Sanctuary on
Saturday, July 2, 2016, in Brooklyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Historic Rugged Cross Baptist Church was organized by the
late Reverend Desha Moten on November 6, 1966, on Vanderbilt Avenue in
Brooklyn, New York; through his work and witness in the community the
membership significantly grew and a larger edifice became a necessity;
and
WHEREAS, On October 6, 1968, the congregation of the Historic Rugged
Cross Baptist Church moved into a larger place of worship; during this
time, the church continued to strive for higher grounds to fulfill the
spirit and vision of its beloved late Pastor including the formation of
several church boards and a thriving Sunday School Department; and
WHEREAS, On April 15, 1982, the Historic Rugged Cross Baptist Church
moved into its new and current edifice located at 1084 Lafayette Avenue
in Brooklyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Historic Rugged Cross Baptist Church has been led by
Reverend Dr. Emma J. Knox since October of 1996; she has served as a
faithful member of the church for 28 years prior to becoming its pastor;
and
WHEREAS, Under the luminous direction of Reverend Dr. Emma J. Knox,
the Historic Rugged Cross Baptist Church has seen the further blossoming
of its Christian education including: The Sunday School Ministry; The
Rugged Cross Bible Institute, a fully accredited Bible College; and The
Rugged Cross Christian Academy which is a fully accredited state certi-
fied learning center for children two to six years of age; and
WHEREAS, The Historic Rugged Cross Baptist Church was recognized by
the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
as a Historical Landmark in June of 2007; and
WHEREAS, A true asset to the Brooklyn Community, the Historic Rugged
Cross Baptist Church opened a 50 unit low income apartment complex known
as The Rugged Cross Apartments in October of 2008; and
WHEREAS, The Historic Rugged Cross Baptist Church stands on the thres-
hold 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
commend the Historic Rugged Cross Baptist Church upon the occasion of
hosting a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony in recognition of its newly renovated
Main Sanctuary on July 2, 2016; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Reverend Dr. Emma J. Knox, the Historic Rugged Cross
Baptist Church, Brooklyn, New York.