H*4227 Concurrent Resolution, By Govan, Cobb-Hunter, J.G. Felder, Sharpe and 
Stuart
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING SAINT LUKE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
 (USA) OF ORANGEBURG UPON THE CELEBRATION OF ITS CENTENNIAL YEAR, 1997.

   05/27/97  House  Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate HJ-94
   05/28/97  Senate Adopted, returned to House with concurrence SJ-10

CONGRATULATING SAINT LUKE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (USA) OF ORANGEBURG UPON THE CELEBRATION OF ITS CENTENNIAL YEAR, 1997.

Whereas, Saint Luke United Presbyterian Church (USA) of Orangeburg was founded and organized in 1897 as the Railroad Avenue Presbyterian Church (USA) of Orangeburg; and

Whereas, the organizing pastor was the late Honorable Reverend Thomas Ezekiel Miller, a graduate of Lincoln University in Chester, Pennsylvania, former member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, and founder and first president of the Colored Normal, Industrial Agricultural and Mechanical College in Orangeburg which is now South Carolina State University; and

Whereas, one of Reverend Miller's reasons for not seeking re-election to the South Carolina House of Representatives was to found a new Presbyterian church and an institution of higher learning for Black citizens; and

Whereas, Saint Luke Church has been served by notable and distinguished leaders such as the Reverend C. M. Uggams, grandfather of actress and singer Leslie Uggams, the Reverend J. Hebert Nelson, civil rights activist and community leader, and its present minister, the Reverend Eddie Deas III; and

Whereas, the church's ministers and their pastorates are as follows: Thomas E. Miller (1897-?), E. M. Uggams (1906-1909), H. P. Butler (1909-1914), J. W. Mallard (1914), S. H. Scott (1914-1924), ____ Gibbs (1924), T. H. Ayers (1924-1941), A. M. Simpson (1941-1942), W. F. Cannon (1942-1944), H. V. Wiggins (1944-1947), W. M. Sample (1947-1960), J. H. Nelson, Sr. (1960-1981), L. L. Bethel (1982-1984), Morrisine Smith (1984-1986), David Blackshear (1988-1989), and Eddie Deas III (1989-present); and

Whereas, the history of Saint Luke would be incomplete without paying tribute to Mrs. Rebecca Johnson, "Auntie Beck", who taught Sunday School and had a tremendous influence on children from all walks of life for more than two decades; and

Whereas, Saint Luke has a long and distinguished history of service to the community particularly in the area of education, by developing a parochial school in the 1920s, the Westminster Fellowship to minister to students at the area institutions of higher learning, by housing for years a model Head Start program, by supporting the mentoring program at Howard Middle School in Orangeburg, and by supporting the mission of the Presbyterian Church (USA); and

Whereas, the church's centennial commemoration is a truly joyful occasion; we share in the happiness of this momentous event and are greatly pleased to be able to accord it special recognition. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, congratulates Saint Luke United Presbyterian Church (USA) of Orangeburg upon the celebration of its one hundredth anniversary.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the session and congregation of Saint Luke United Presbyterian Church (USA), in care of its pastor, the Reverend Eddie Deas III.