Senate Resolution No. 119

BY: Senator COMRIE

COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of Springfield
Gardens Church of the Nazarene on November 4, 2018

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 Springfield Gardens Church of the
Nazarene; this momentous occasion was celebrated with a Centennial
Service, "A Faithfull Past Embracing a Hopeful Future," on Sunday,
November 4, 2018, at Throop Memorial Presbyterian Church, Rosedale, New
York; and

WHEREAS, In March of 1918, the Reverend Paul Hill, District
Superintendent of the Pentecostal Church of the Nazarene, organized
Springfield Gardens Pentecostal Church of the Nazarene with 14 charter
members; and

WHEREAS, Originally located on New York Avenue, Reverend George
Howard Rowe served as the congregation's first pastor; the church was
officially incorporated in November of 1919, and the foreign and
missions board was organized on May 6, 1919; and

WHEREAS, During its humble beginnings, the influence of worldly
standards forced the church to be strict in its method of accepting
members, resulting in very slow growth; and

WHEREAS, By 1926, the church was undergoing financial struggles and
was forced to sell its existing building before acquiring a new property
on Farmers Avenue, now known as Farmers Boulevard; the new building was
completed in 1933, and dedicated in 1934, under the outstanding
leadership of Reverend William Stringham; and

WHEREAS, The area of Springfield Gardens began to experience
significant demographic changes in the early 1950s; with the newly
generated business of Kennedy International Airport, shopping malls, and
other small businesses, new schools and places of worship began to fill
the area; subsequently, the congregation of Springfield Gardens Church
of the Nazarene experienced a significant drop in attendance; and

WHEREAS, In 1960, the New York District urged Springfield Gardens
Church of the Nazarene to sell its existing property, but the small
congregation pledged to keep the ministry going at all costs, and by
1970, it began to flourish once again; and

WHEREAS, Throughout its storied history, Springfield Gardens Church
of the Nazarene was led by Reverend S. Reynolds Mayberry, Reverend

Charles K. Heisel, Reverend Alfred Mason, Reverend Fred Hughes, Reverend
Louis Gardenhire, Reverend Claude Edun and Reverend Samuel A. Wilson who
served the church for 14 years; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Rudyard Morgan served as Assistant Pastor to
Reverend Wilson for six years, and Reverend Paul E. Williams served the
church for eight years until his death on February 26, 2006, when
Reverend Lenroy C. S. Pascall was installed as the new pastor; during
this time, attendance grew rapidly and two morning services were
offered; and

WHEREAS, Today, Springfield Gardens Church of the Nazarene offers
numerous programs and organizations for the needs of its members,
including expanded ministries in prayer, Bible study, worship,
Evangelism, youth outreach, marriage enrichment, praise dance,
communications and technology; and

WHEREAS, Under Pastor Lenroy C. S. Pascall's luminous direction,
Springfield Gardens Church of the Nazarene 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 Springfield Gardens Church of the
Nazarene on November 4, 2018; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Reverend Lenroy C. S. Pascall, Senior Pastor, Springfield
Gardens Church of the Nazarene, Jamaica, New York.