Senate Resolution No. 2091

BY: Senator MONTGOMERY

COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of Mount Sinai
Baptist Church of Brooklyn, New York

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
100th Anniversary of Mount Sinai Baptist Church of Brooklyn, New York;
and

WHEREAS, The First Union Baptist Mission Church was founded in 1919,
by Reverend Willis B. Wyatt Founder and Pastor; the small storefront
building was located on 25 Hunter Fly Place, and its first worship
service, which was the funeral of Brother Allen Franklin, was held on
September 7, 1919; and

WHEREAS, Following the funeral, the first official service was held
by the Reverend Willis B. Wyatt at 11 a.m., with six members in
attendance: Maggie Wyatt, Clara Fields, Louisa Mosley, Anna Jones, Jack
Jones and Robert Hutchinson; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Willis B. Wyatt established Sunday School on that
same day, and Robert Hutchinson served as the first Acting
Superintendents of Sunday School, which at the time had only five
students enrolled in the program; and

WHEREAS, The First Union Baptist Mission held its first monthly
meeting in November of 1919; as membership began to increase, Pastor
Willis B. Wyatt saw a need to establish a Deacon, Deaconess and Usher
Board: the first Deacons were Brother Jack Jones, who was 92 years old,
and Brothers James Butcher, Robert Brandom and William H. Johnston; the
first Deaconesses were Sisters Louisa Mosley, Angeline Jones, Clara
Fields and Ida Watkins; the Usher Board began with one usher, Sister
Baylock; and

WHEREAS, In March of 1920, the name of the First Union Baptist
Mission was changed to the Mount Sinai Baptist Church by its members at
a special meeting to give the church a permanent name and reflect its
purposes and direction; and

WHEREAS, Under the leadership of Reverend Paul Earl Jones, the
membership at the Mount Sinai Baptist Church increased rapidly and it
became necessary to search for a larger sanctuary; in 1951, a building
at 107-09 Marion Street was purchased and the church moved in; it was
dedicated in early 1954; and

WHEREAS, In 1954, the attorney for the Mount Sinai Baptist Church
informed the Trustees that the city was claiming all the property in the

vicinity of Marion Street and the congregation began to look for a new
home; and

WHEREAS, The Mount Sinai Baptist Church purchased its current home
at 241-45 Gates Avenue in July of 1955 and held its first service there
on January 1, 1956; six months later, the congregation mourned the
passing of its beloved Pastor, Reverend Paul Earl Jones on June 12,
1956; and

WHEREAS, A year after the death of Reverend Paul Earl Jones, the
Mount Sinai Baptist Church held a special meeting to elect a pastor,
assisted by the Eastern Baptist Association; on September 1, 1957,
Reverend William Lymon Lowe assumed his duties as the new pastor; and

WHEREAS, After 27 years, Reverend William Lymon Lowe retired as
Pastor of the Mount Sinai Baptist Church on June 30, 1984; in his place,
the Pulpit Committee selected his assistant, Reverend Curtis L. Whitney,
to lead the congregation. Reverend Curtis Leroy Whitney served as Pastor
of Mount Sinai Baptist Church for 32 years retiring with 49 years in the
ministry; and

WHEREAS, Mt. Sinai Baptist Church under the leadership of Deacon
Tyson Lillard, Chairman of the Deacon's Ministry and throughout its
history has touched the lives of their congregants through the shining
example of their leadership throughout the community, which is a
testament to the devotion and admiration which they possess for their
neighbors; the longevity of this enduring institution truly marks a
milestone in a community's life's journey, an event of institutional
triumph and joy; and

WHEREAS, Mount Sinai Baptist Church of Brooklyn 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 100th Anniversary of Mount Sinai Baptist Church of
Brooklyn, New York, 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
transmitted to The Reverend Dr. Curtis L. Whitney, Pastor Emeritus,
Mount Sinai Baptist Church of Brooklyn, New York.