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H. 4247
STATUS INFORMATION
Concurrent Resolution
Sponsors: Reps. Neilson and Lucas
Document Path: l:\council\bills\nbd\11786ac07.doc
Introduced in the House on June 7, 2007
Introduced in the Senate on June 7, 2007
Adopted by the General Assembly on June 7, 2007
Summary: Middendorf Baptist Church
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
Date Body Action Description with journal page number
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6/7/2007 House Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate HJ-8
6/7/2007 Senate Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence SJ-23
View the latest legislative information at the LPITS web site
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR MIDDENDORF BAPTIST CHURCH OF CHESTERFIELD COUNTY ON THE CELEBRATION OF ITS ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY AND TO WELCOME TO SOUTH CAROLINA AND TO THIS CELEBRATION AMBASSADOR J. W. MIDDENDORF, JR., WHOSE FAMILY'S KINDNESS AND GENEROSITY WERE INSTRUMENTAL IN HELPING ESTABLISH THE CHURCH'S FIRST SANCTUARY.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly are pleased to have the opportunity to recognize Middendorf Baptist Church in Chesterfield County, during its year long celebration of its one hundredth anniversary; and
Whereas, on October 6, 1906, Middendorf Baptist Church began its century-long journey of faith by holding its first official meeting of the church, which was originally named the Margaret Steen Missionary Baptist Church for a young woman who inspired spirit and unity among the church members before her death in February of 1906; and
Whereas, services for the fledgling church were initially held in members' homes, and in early 1907 Mr. J. W. Middendorf, Sr., stockholder and part owner of the Seaboard Airline Railroad, who was building the present rail line through the community, attended services; and
Whereas, Mr. Middendorf, recognizing the need for a church building, made a generous donation to the building fund, and in October of 1907, in an expression of deep gratitude, the church was renamed Middendorf Baptist Church, making 2007 the one hundredth year that the church has been known by that name; and
Whereas, on April 5, 1909, property owned by J. W. Steen and his wife Nancy E. Steen, which was formerly owned by the Wilhelm family, was donated to the church for one dollar. Witnesses present with Mr. and Mrs. Steen for this momentous occasion were Mr. K. McManus, Mr. J. H. Hildreth, and Mr. J. B. Sims. The deed was recorded April 9, 1909; and
Whereas, the original church was adorned with a lovely bell tower whose melodious bell welcomed all to services. The bell, now mounted outside in a custom brick arch, remains vital to the life of the congregation, ringing on special occasions so as to preserve the life of this beloved symbol of the past; and
Whereas, also held in the hearts and memories of the congregation is the grand oak tree that graced the grounds of the original Middendorf Baptist Church and that was known to all as the "hitching tree" where horses and buggies were tied during services; and
Whereas, this beautiful tree was such an integral part of the church that plans for the new church even contemplated building the sanctuary around the tree; however when other plans took hold and the tree had to be removed, memorial blocks of the oak were cut and given to church families for their contributions to the new building fund; and
Whereas, after standing strong for close to one hundred years, the church began construction on a new sanctuary in 1997, which was completed in time for Easter Services on April 12, 1998, and which was formally dedicated in a special service on Sunday, September 27, 1998, with over two hundred and forty in attendance; and
Whereas, on January 10, 1999, the church celebrated the payoff of the new sanctuary mortgage, made possible by the gracious gift of members Ebbie and Bess Hoffman, by holding a service dedicated in their honor at which Mr. Hoffman had the privilege of setting the note aflame; and
Whereas, Middendorf Baptist Church has continued to grow, not only from monetary gifts, but also through dedicated service. On February 12, 2000, at a service presided over by the current pastor, Donald Rhyme, the congregation elected Reverend Ed Griggs as Pastor Emeritus for his faithful service to Middendorf Baptist Church as pastor for twenty-seven continuous years; and
Whereas, Mr. Middendorf, who continued his support of the church for many years, was the father of the very distinguished, Mr. J. W. Middendorf, Jr., who served this country with honor and distinction as United States Secretary of the Navy, as Ambassador to the Organization of American States, as Ambassador to the Netherlands, and as Ambassador to the European Union; and
Whereas, on behalf of the State of South Carolina and the Middendorf Baptist Church, the General Assembly wishes to thank Ambassador Middendorf for coming to South Carolina to join in the one hundredth anniversary celebration of Middendorf Baptist Church and to express the continued gratitude of this church and our State for the Middendorf family's vision and generosity in helping to make Middendorf Baptist Church a cornerstone of the Chesterfield County faith community; and
Whereas, since its inception, the members of Middendorf Baptist Church have been dedicated to serving God and their fellow man, and have been blessed with a loving, close knit congregation, which has contributed immeasurably to the lives and faith of its many members over the past one hundred years and which will continue to nourish their souls as the church embarks on its second century of service and fellowship in Christ. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, recognize and honor Middendorf Baptist Church of Chesterfield County on the celebration of its one hundredth anniversary and welcome to South Carolina and to this celebration Ambassador J. W. Middendorf, Jr., whose family's kindness and generosity were instrumental in helping this church establish it first sanctuary.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to Middendorf Baptist Church.
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