Senate Resolution No. 622

BY: Senator O'MARA

COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of Friendship
Baptist Church of Corning, 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, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Friendship Baptist Church of
Corning, New York; this Centennial Celebration kicked off with a Formal
Soiree on Friday, February 15, 2019, followed by a Saturday morning
brunch and Sunday Mass; and

WHEREAS, Friendship Baptist Church can trace its roots back to 1908,
approximately 11 years before its official founding; that first church,
the Beulah Baptist Church, was located on East Market Street and was led
by Reverend H.T. Hogan; and

WHEREAS, The first church only survived one year, and upon its
closing, members of the congregation met and prayed in each other's
homes before focusing their efforts on organizing a Baptist church of
their own; and

WHEREAS, In 1919, this new house of worship, erected at the corner
of Denison Parkway and Pearl Street, was called Friendship Baptist
Church, in memory of the church in Troy, New York, from which most of
its members had come; and

WHEREAS, As the church's membership grew, so did its prominence, and
Friendship Baptist Church quickly became a recognized and accepted
component of the Corning community; and

WHEREAS, Today, Friendship Baptist Church offers numerous programs
and organizations for the needs of its members, and remains true to its
mission to serve others and give back to the community; and

WHEREAS, Under the luminous direction of Reverend Lorri Thornton,
Friendship 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 100th Anniversary of Friendship Baptist Church of
Corning, New York; and be it further


RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Reverend Lorri Thornton, Friendship Baptist Church,
Corning, New York.