Assembly Resolution No. 252

BY: M. of A. Raynor

COMMEMORATING the 97th Anniversary of Union
Baptist Church of Hempstead, New York on July 30,
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
97th Anniversary of Union Baptist Church of Hempstead, New York on
Tuesday, July 30, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Union Baptist Church grew from a prayer meeting on October
6, 1921, in the home of Mr. and Mrs. McDonald Small at 14 Grove Street
in Hempstead, New York, into a mission on July 30, 1922, with Charles
St. John, Sister Rosa Lee and Sister Irene Ward as the first converts;
and

WHEREAS, The mission was organized into the Union Baptist Church of
Hempstead, Long Island, on September 19, 1922 with Reverend F. P.
Harroll, Pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church of Rockville Centre serving as
moderator; and

WHEREAS, The first deacons were Brothers Lewis P. Smith, Chairman,
and McDonald Small; Brothers Paul Lee, Charles St. John and John Gant
were elected as trustees; and Sister Georgia Smith was elected as Mother
of the Church; and

WHEREAS, During this time, Shiloh Baptist Church was named the
mother church and the total membership was 36; and

WHEREAS, Since its humble beginnings, Union Baptist Church has had
only six pastors; Reverend Strouder served from 1922 until 1924;
Reverend S. M. B. Usry served from 1924 to 1928, during which time the
first church at 26 Mill Road (Peninsula Blvd.) was erected; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Trotman, who served from 1928 until 1932, oversaw
the organization of the Senior Choir and the Usher Board; under the
leadership of Reverend Lonnie Thompson, 1933-1956, many auxiliaries were
established including several choirs and a Youth Fellowship; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, during this time the mortgage for the original
building was satisfied, additional property was purchased and
improvements were made to the building; and

WHEREAS, Beginning in 1950, it became increasingly evident that a
new building was needed and fundraising was initiated through the
formation of Alphabet Clubs and a building committee; sadly, Reverend

Thompson was called to his eternal rest on February 18, 1956, and did
not see the completion of the new building; and

WHEREAS, On September 30, 1956, a groundbreaking service was held
with Dr. Sandy F. Ray, President of the Empire Baptist Missionary
Convention of New York, Inc. presiding; the last meeting in the Mill
Road building was held on March 31, 1957, before members marched to the
new edifice on Hastings Place and held a glorious prayer service led by
Sister Violet Jones; and

WHEREAS, In May of 1957, the membership was led to call Reverend
Clinton C. Boone as the fifth pastor of Union Baptist Church; he began
his pastorate on the first Sunday in August of 1957, and would go on to
serve the church for 46 years; and

WHEREAS, During his illustrious tenure, much was accomplished
including completion of the new building, the building of a new
parsonage, satisfaction of both mortgages, acquisition of additional
property and transportation vehicles; and

WHEREAS, Following the resignation of Reverend Boone in 2003, and
with no assistant pastor, for more than two years the church was under
the leadership of the Chairman of the Deacon Board, Bobby L. Vincent and
the first woman to serve as the Chairperson of the Trustee Board,
Roberta L. London; the church remained prayerful and believed with
faith that the right pastor would be found to lead the church into the
21st century; and

WHEREAS, With a passion to lift the prophetic voice and liberate all
people, Reverend Sedgwick V. Easley currently serves as the visionary
Pastor and leader of the Union Baptist Church; he began his tenure on
January 1, 2006, and under his leadership the church has continued to
evolve; and

WHEREAS, Under the luminous direction of Reverend Sedgwick V.
Easley, Union 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 97th Anniversary of Union Baptist Church of Hempstead,
New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Reverend Sedgwick V. Easley, Union Baptist Church,
Hempstead, New York.