Senate Resolution No. 5804

BY: Senator HAMILTON

COMMEMORATING the 112th Anniversary of the
Ebenezer Wesleyan Methodist 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, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 112th Anniversary of the Ebenezer Wesleyan Methodist
Church of Brooklyn, New York; and

WHEREAS, On August 14, 1905, a small group of West Indian Methodists
met in the home of Joseph Bridgewater at 200 Johnson Street in Brooklyn,
New York, to discuss the organizing of a place of worship for the
growing number of Wesleyan Methodists who were desirous of worshiping in
the manner they were accustomed to; and

WHEREAS, Brother A. B. Baker presided over the inaugural service on
September 3, 1905, at 118 Myrtle Avenue in Brooklyn; and

WHEREAS, On June 25, 1906, the church was incorporated under the
Laws of the State of New York as the Ebenezer Wesleyan Methodist Church;
and

WHEREAS, Soon after its inception, the church moved to 377 Hudson
Avenue, where it also ran a Day School; and

WHEREAS, The Brooklyn City Mission and the Episcopal Diocese of Long
Island gave invaluable assistance to Brother Joseph Bridgewater and the
Board of Trustees in purchasing the St. Augustine Church at 69 St.
Edwards Street as is next place of worship; and

WHEREAS, The Ebenezer Wesleyan Methodist Church was then relocated
to the YMCA on Bedford Avenue, providing a temporary place of worship
until it once again relocated to 387 Stuyvesant Avenue, where it
remained for the next 12 years; and

WHEREAS, In 1948, the Ebenezer Wesleyan Methodist Church purchased
1024 Bergen Street, and in August of the same year, a historic service
was held amidst great rejoicing as the church had at last found its true
home; and

WHEREAS, Today, under the luminous direction of Reverend Edward L.
Jenkins, Sr., the membership stands at approximately 295, with 20
classes and three associate preachers; and

WHEREAS, The Ebenezer Wesleyan Methodist 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 112th Anniversary of the Ebenezer Wesleyan Methodist
Church of Brooklyn, New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Reverend Edward L. Jenkins, Sr., Ebenezer Wesleyan
Methodist Church, Brooklyn, New York.