WHEREAS,
The First African Baptist Church of Philadelphia
was established in June, 1809 with thirteen members, ten women and three men; and
WHEREAS,
The First African Baptist Church of Philadelphia
is the oldest African American-founded Baptist congregation in the City of Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and one of the oldest African American-founded Baptist congregation in the United States of America; and
WHEREAS,
Two freemen, John and Samuel Bivens, sold themselves into slavery so that James Burrows of Northampton County, Virginia could become the third pastor; and
WHEREAS
,
The First African Baptist Church of Philadelphia
has been instrumental in the birth of many notable organizations including the Christian Street YMCA and the Downingtown Industrial School; and
WHEREAS,
The First African Baptist Church of Philadelphia
has given birth to many other churches including Tasker Street Missionary Baptist Church, Mt. Zion Baptist Church of Germantown, Kaighn Avenue Baptist Church of Camden, New Jersey, Shiloh Baptist Church, and Miller Memorial Baptist Church; and
WHEREAS
, On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of
The First African Baptist Church of Philadelphia
, the esteemed Dr. Booker T. Washington, the keynote speaker, stated It is not enough for us to succeed as individuals; we must succeed as groups, organizations, as churches, in every aspect standing together and continue to go forward in grand eloquent success; and
WHEREAS
, On Friday, June 19th , 2009,
The First African Baptist Church of Philadelphia
will celebrate its 200th Anniversary and two hundred years of African American Baptist works in the City of Philadelphia as well as throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA,
That it recognizes, honors, celebrates and thanks
The First African Baptist Church of Philadelphia
for its invaluable contributions to the City of Philadelphia on the joyous occasion of its 200th Anniversary.
FURTHER RESOLVED,
That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to
The First African Baptist Church of Philadelphia
, further evidencing the sincere admiration and gratitude of this legislative body.
End