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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING REVEREND LESLIE SANDERS & HOPE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 121st YEAR ANNIVERSARY
WHEREAS, On Sunday, August 25, 2018, Hope Presbyterian Church will celebrate its 121st Anniversary; and
WHEREAS, Hope Presbyterian was organized in 1897 under the direction of Rev. I.W. Nicholson and a few members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church who moved from Bowling Green, Kentucky to Chicago and settled in the West Englewood community who felt that Presbyterian witness should be organized in this area; and
WHEREAS, The first installed Pastor was the Rev. George Washington Camp in 1909 and with hard work and various fundraisers, the members were able to purchase lots at 61st Street and Loomis Boulevard. Ground was broken for the present edifice in 1911 and the building was completed in 1913. The members actually built the church; and
WHEREAS, In 1911, the congregation called the Rev. C. Lee Jefferson and moved in the present building with the financial assistance of the Presbytery. Through World Wars I and II and the Great Depression, Hope Church continued to grow and develop; and
WHEREAS, In early 1941, the church called the Rev. Herbert W. Jones who’s long and successful tenure ended in June of 1980. Under his leadership, the church began to show new life and growth. Tragedy struck in November 1967 when the Sanctuary was severely burned, but the congregation was determined to rebuild and refurbish the Sanctuary in one year. With the great desire to progress, the congregation also erected the beautiful, multipurpose Christian Education Center at the cost of $250,000; and
WHEREAS, In February 1986, Rev. Dr. Floyd N. Rhodes recommended The Rev. Leslie Sanders to Hope Church. In March 1987, Rev. Sanders was installed as Pastor and brought a dynamic style of preaching, a unique leadership ability, and an abundance of energy and enthusiasm. Under his leadership the church is experiencing rapid growth spiritually, numerically and financially; and
WHEREAS, Under the leadership of Pastor Sanders, Hope Presbyterian has organized the Voices of Hope and Angelic Choirs, reinstated the Usher Board and responsible for the development of various ministries including: Lincoln/Hope Day care program, the 50 Plus senior’s group; young peoples’ summer work and tutoring programs in conjunction with ComEd and the office of the Mayor, established a Saturday Feeding Program which serves hot and nutritious meals to indigent individuals in the Englewood Community; and
WHEREAS, Hope Presbyterian Church is a true beacon of hope for the Englewood community it has served for 121 years.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that President Toni Preckwinkle and Cook County Board of Commissioners, and on behalf of the 5.2 million residents of Cook County do hereby congratulate Pastor Leslie Sanders and Hope Presbyterian Church on the occasion of its 121st Anniversary and for the important and commendable service and leadership it provides to its congregation and surrounding community.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this resolution be spread upon the official proceeding of this Honorable Body and a ceremonial copy be given to Pastor Leslie Sanders in commemoration of this auspicious occasion.
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