Senate Resolution No. 2000

BY: Senator MONTGOMERY

COMMEMORATING the 120th Anniversary of The Holy
Trinity Baptist Church of Brooklyn, New York on May
19, 2019

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 is justly proud to commemorate the
120th Anniversary of The Holy Trinity Baptist Church of Brooklyn, New
York on Sunday, May 19, 2019; and

WHEREAS, The Holy Trinity Baptist Church was founded on May 24,
1899, at Ormond Place in the borough of Brooklyn, New York, under the
leadership of the late Reverend Seth W. Timms; the first location was on
Claver Place between Jefferson and Classon Avenues; and

WHEREAS, In 1915, The Holy Trinity Baptist Church called on Reverend
Dr. Charles D. Patterson who immediately launched a program to secure a
larger space for the church to worship; he led the officers and members
to purchase a building, and in 1919, the church moved to a new location
on DeKalb Avenue at Franklin Avenue in Brooklyn; and

WHEREAS, The Reverend Dr. Thomas Samuel Harten was called to be the
new pastor of The Holy Trinity Baptist Church in April of 1922, during
which time he led the church into worldwide fellowship; his powerful
voice, epic sermons, and social activism commanded the attention of all
of Brooklyn, the surrounding boroughs, counties, and states from as far
as California to Massachusetts; and

WHEREAS, In 1943, the Saturday before Palm Sunday, a major disaster
struck and flames destroyed The Holy Trinity Baptist Church; the
following week, the Pastor and officers secured the Old Cadman Cathedral
on Hancock Street, where the congregation met for three years before
purchasing the property at 482 Franklin Avenue; and

WHEREAS, In the early 1950s, as the congregation grew, the lack of
space at this property also increased; the church began worshipping at
The Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) before moving to the TMCA building
where they remained until December 1, 1957; and

WHEREAS, The Holy Trinity Baptist Church then purchased a new
building at 8 Ralph Avenue in Brooklyn, and on November 29, 1957, they
held Communion Services; on December 1st of the same year, the church
held their first worship service in the sanctuary; and

WHEREAS, For more than 46 years, the church membership and community
were encouraged and called to action to be servant-leaders because of

the courage, leadership, preaching and teaching of Reverend Dr. Thomas
S. Harten, who died on March 15, 1968; and

WHEREAS, During this time, Reverend E.L. Hardemon was chosen as
Interim Pastor until The Holy Trinity Baptist Church extended its call
to the Reverend Dr. Oscar Burrel J. Burson who assumed pastoral duties
on the first Lord's Day in May of 1969; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Dr. Oscar Burrel J. Burson was a strong believer
in education, especially Christian education, and during his tenure he
instilled in each member its importance; this extraordinary man worked
valiantly for the church until his sudden passing on September 23, 2003;
and

WHEREAS, On Sunday, October 9, 2005, Reverend Dr. Samuel B. Joubert
Sr. became the new pastor of The Holy Trinity Baptist Church, which
took on new growth and spiritual enthusiasm under his leadership; and

WHEREAS, After the death of Reverend Dr. Samuel B. Joubert, the
church was under the leadership of Deacon Henry Jeff Davis, Chairman of
Deacon Ministry; Deaconess Lena M. Skinner, Chairperson of Deaconess
Ministry; and Trustee Sylvester Moss, Chairman of Trustee Ministry; and

WHEREAS, Today, under the luminous direction of Reverend Kevin J.
Williams, The Holy Trinity Baptist 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 120th Anniversary of The Holy Trinity Baptist Church of
Brooklyn, New York on May 19, 2019; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Reverend Kevin J. Williams, The Holy Trinity Baptist
Church, Brooklyn, New York.