LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 105th Anniversary of Bethel
Baptist Church in 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, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body takes pleasure in commemorat-
ing the 105th Anniversary of Bethel Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New
York, on Sunday, May 15, 2011; and
WHEREAS, The second church in Brooklyn to be built from the ground up
by African Americans, Bethel Baptist Church was founded in 1906 by
Reverend Timothy White, who was ordained to preach the Gospel the
following year; and
WHEREAS, In 1944, Reverend L.T. Chapman was called to be the Pastor of
Bethel Baptist Church after Reverend Timothy White passed away; during
his tenure, the church liquidated its mortgage, installed chimes in its
organ and purchased a parsonage; and
WHEREAS, Following the death of Reverend L.T. Chapman, Reverend Paul
T. Pruden acted as a supply Pastor until Reverend W.J. Hall was
installed as the official Pastor of Bethel Baptist Church in 1961; and
WHEREAS, In 2005, The Reverend Doctor W.J. Hall retired after 44 years
as Pastor, and The Reverend Doctor H. DeVore Chapman was installed as
the fourth Pastor of Bethel Baptist Church; Reverend H. DeVore Chapman
ably leads Bethel Baptist Church in its prospering today and into the
future; and
WHEREAS, Bethel 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 105th Anniversary of Bethel Baptist Church in 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 tran-
smitted to The Reverend Doctor H. DeVore Chapman, Pastor of Bethel
Baptist Church, Brooklyn, New York.