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TO RECOGNIZE AND CONGRATULATE ST. JOHN'S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF FORT MILL ON THE OCCASION OF ITS HISTORIC ONE HUNDRED FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY AND TO COMMEND THE CHURCH FOR ITS MANY YEARS OF SERVICE TO GOD AND THE COMMUNITY.
Whereas, having been founded in 1872, St. John's United Methodist Church of Fort Mill is celebrating its historic one hundred fiftieth anniversary in 2022; and
Whereas, in 1872, seventy-four people decided a Methodist church should be located in downtown Fort Mill. These interested parties purchased a lot on Clebourne Street and in 1875 built a small one-room wooden church there, thus creating what is now St. John's United Methodist Church; and
Whereas, the first pastor of the fledgling church was the Reverend J.F. England. A new church was built in 1927 and is the site of the present church. In 1947, an education wing was added to the original building, and in 2003 a fellowship hall, kitchen, and classrooms were added to the church; and
Whereas, presently led by the Reverend Karen H. Radcliffe, St. John's has a mission-focused congregation. The first Fort Mill Care Center was located on its property and had its first director under St. John's leadership. The congregation has been active in Kairos Prison Ministry, Beds Equal Dreams, Sheltering the Homeless, Salkehatchie Summer Service, and a yearly Angel Tree project; and
Whereas, in addition, a mobile home was built on the property for a local family to reside in. Church-owned properties have been used in the past to house local families in need, as well as refugees from Hurricane Katrina; and
Whereas, monthly service opportunities include work with the Red Cross, Bethel Men's Center, and Care Center. The church also provides snacks to local hospital waiting rooms. The most recent churchwide mission project was a weekend of kindness in which congregation members young to old served ten areas in the community. Further, many individual interest groups within the church provide service to other local charities. St. John's also offers its facility for use by local groups and organizations. Most notable is the pumpkin patch that "grows" every fall in the field beside the church; and
Whereas, Christian education is an integral part of the St. John's congregation. There are weekly education opportunities in the form of Sunday classes for all ages. Age- and interest-specific groups include United Methodist Youth Foundation, REAL Kids, all levels of vocal choirs and various handbell choirs, disciple classes, Bible studies, a book group, prayer groups, groups for seniors, United Women of Faith, United Methodist Men, and a week-long summer Vacation Bible School; and
Whereas, in 2004, St. John's formed a preschool, the Weekday Early Education School or WEE School for short. The WEE School has over one hundred children from the Fort Mill community enrolled in classes; and
Whereas, St. John's United Methodist Church has been a beacon of light and a community worship center in the Fort Mill area for a century and a half, and, God willing, will continue its godly heritage for many more years of worship and service. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and congratulate St. John's United Methodist Church of Fort Mill on the occasion of its historic one hundred fiftieth anniversary and commend the church for its many years of service to God and the community.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to St. John's United Methodist Church.
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