2024 -- S 3011

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LC005735

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

JOYOUSLY CELEBRATING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE OFFICIAL FOUNDING

OF THE BEREAN BAPTIST CHURCH OF BURRILLVILLE, RHODE ISLAND, ON

OCTOBER 20TH OF 2024 AND DECLARING SAID DAY TO BE "BEREAN BAPTIST

CHURCH DAY" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Senators de la Cruz, Felag, Lauria, E Morgan, Bissaillon, LaMountain,
Ciccone, Ujifusa, and Cano

     Date Introduced: April 30, 2024

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, In or around the year 1867, Emeline Steere established a Sabbath School on

Main Street in the mill villages of Harrisville, in order to help heal the grievous wounds of the

Civil War; and

     WHEREAS, Shortly thereafter, a group of dedicated ladies, including Emeline Steere,

established a working group called the Harrisville Union Sewing Circle with the objective of

raising funds for the procuring of a place to hold meetings and conduct a Sabbath School. The

women encouraged each member to pay five cents per fortnight, whether they worked or not.

They sewed, knitted, quilted, and hosted community dinners with all of the proceeds dedicated to

the building of a place to meet in worship. Their hard work included donating clothes they made

for the needy within their community; and

     WHEREAS, The dedication, commitment and abiding integrity of the women of the

Harrisville Union Sewing Circle attracted the attention of many people within the community. As

a result, an Acting Pastor, the Reverend William Fitz, was called in to assist the Church in 1874.

Meetings and services were held in a rented second story room in White’s Hall on the South Side

of Chapel Street. The new church was organized with thirteen members; and

     WHEREAS, On March 3rd of 1876, the Church was granted a charter by the State of

Rhode Island and the membership voted to accept the charter of Incorporation on December 4th,

1880. In naming the new church, the members were guided by the accounts in Acts 17 of the

people of Berea, who listened to Paul’s message with great eagerness and an open mind. They

studied the Scriptures to verify Paul’s words. As this seemed a most fitting inspiration, they

named the new Church, the Berean Baptist Church; and

     WHEREAS, In 1879, the Reverend Dr. Abraham Granger was called to be the first

permanent pastor. He served until 1891. During this time, plans were made for a permanent

building. Reverend Granger served until 1891, During this time, plans were made for a

permanent building. Construction began in 1880 and a new building was dedicated in 1881; and

     WHEREAS, The Berean Baptist Church has, since its inception, developed strong bonds

with the community, such as granting permission in 1913 to the Harrisville Fire District to use the

Church bell to sound the alarm in case of fire or any disaster. This agreement remined in effect

for more than thirty years until the District acquired its own equipment in 1949. In the 1970’s, the

church continued this tradition of community involvement when they offered space to the School

District for classrooms. Berean Baptist Church has a long history of offering its spaces for use by

the Boys and Girl Scouts and Alcoholics Anonymous as well as other community organizations.

Most recently, Berean has held “Feed the Five Thousand” programs to provide food for the

community. A thriving clothes closet and food bank presently serve the community as outreach

missions; and

     WHEREAS, Berean Baptist Church exists to proclaim the Gospel, preach the story of

God’s love, and to provide an inclusive witness to the glory of God’s creation, and to covenant in

support of one another in times of sickness and in health; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby joyously celebrates the

150th Anniversary of the official founding of the Berean Baptist Church of Burrillville, Rhode

Island, on October 20th of 2024 and declares said day to be “Berean Baptist Church day” in the

State of Rhode Island; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Berean Baptist Church of Burrillville,

Rhode Island.

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LC005735

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