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TO RECOGNIZE THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF AIKEN ON THE OCCASION OF ITS HISTORIC TWO HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY AND TO COMMEND THE CHURCH FOR TWO HUNDRED YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.
Whereas, the First Baptist Church of Aiken celebrates its two hundredth anniversary this year. The church was founded in 1805 and even predates the city of Aiken; and
Whereas, the first location was approximately one mile from the present city of Aiken, and in 1836 the congregation joined with the members of the Wise Creek congregation to build a sanctuary on its present site on land deeded by the South Carolina Railroad and Canal Company. At that time, the congregation renamed the church Aiken Baptist Church, which later became the First Baptist Church; and
Whereas, in 1946 the church had the foresight to establish one of the first church kindergartens in South Carolina, a common occurrence today; and
Whereas, the present sanctuary, dedicated in 1958, was built to accommodate the large influx of people who flocked to Aiken as a result of the construction of the Savannah River Plant; and
Whereas, the First Baptist Church of Aiken is the mother of four churches in the Aiken area: Hispanic, Marion Street, Memorial, and North Aiken; and
Whereas, its cemetery, dating from 1838, includes the graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers; and
Whereas, the General Assembly would like to commend Dr. Fred Andrea, pastor, for his leadership and guidance and the church for their dedication and commitment to the Lord; and
Whereas, the church has been a beacon of light for many hundreds in the community of Aiken and in the world beyond for the past two hundred years and will no doubt continue to grow in God's grace for many years to come. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the members of the General Assembly recognize the First Baptist Church of Aiken on the occasion of its historic two hundredth anniversary and commend the church for two hundred years of service to the community.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Dr. Fred Andrea on behalf of the congregation of First Baptist Church of Aiken.
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