A house RESOLUTION

To Recognize and honor goodwin chapel a.m.e. zion church for its heritage in the boykin community and to commend its leadership and congregation for their many years of service and contributions to the community.

Whereas, Goodwin Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church, located in the Boykin Community of Marlboro County, South Carolina, three miles west of Gibson, North Carolina, was established in 1886; and

Whereas, records in the Marlboro County Clerk of Court Office Book H of the Deed and Conveyances, page 80 state: "on the 15th day of October A.D. 1886, a deed executed by E. W. Goodwin to Henry W. Newton and others four acres of land, more or less, sold for the sum of one dollar ($1.00) to trustees Henry W. Newton, R. Bright, George McNeil, J. Riley, R. H. Bright, and T. D. Pearson for the purpose of erecting a building to worship Almighty God, and for the purpose of building a school house, and for the purpose of a burial ground, to have to hold by these trustees and their successors in office forever"; and

Whereas, the men and women over the years not only did great work in the church, but in the community as well;

Whereas, much emphasis and attention were placed on families doing things together; being a rural community, most members worked on farms. The children attended school during the day and attended church with families and friends on Sundays;

Whereas, parents transported families and neighbors to and from Sunday Church services by wagons and buggies, while many walked for miles;

Whereas, holidays like Easter Monday and Fourth of July were celebrated on the church grounds with baseball games and picnics;

Whereas, supporting the church and keeping the building and property in repair became difficult. In 1938, a foreclosure on a loan by Z. V. Pate of Gibson, North Carolina caused the land and building to be sold to the highest bidder;

Whereas, the property was purchased by the Boykin Local School Board. Fortunately, the school board allowed the Trustees to purchase the property from them, and the church set out to make renovations and improvements as often as could be afforded;

Whereas, the late Annie and Birch Newton, Sr, were members of Goodwin Chapel for more than 80 years until the Lord called them from labor to reward. Much of the history of Goodwin Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church was seen through their eyes and became the fruit of their combined labors. 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 honor Goodwin Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church for its deep heritage in the Boykin Community and commend its leadership and congregation for their many years of service and contributions to the community.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Goodwin Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church.

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