H 5750

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026
Bill 5750
Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)
A house RESOLUTION
TO
CONGRATULATE SAINT PAUL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH ON THE OCCASION OF ITS ONE
HUNDRED FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY FOR A CENTURY AND A HALF OF SERVICE TO GOD AND THE
COMMUNITY.
Whereas, Saint Paul United Methodist Church was founded in 1876 in
Kingstree, under the leadership of Reverend Gamble, beginning as a congregation
that worshiped in homes and later under a shed on the Burgess property; and
Whereas, on May 28, 1880, the church purchased approximately one acre
of land, where a wooden structure was erected and named Saint Paul Methodist
Episcopal Church; and
Whereas, the congregation continued to grow and faithfully served the
community, constructing larger facilities in 1907 and 1946, while emphasizing
Christian faith, education, service, and leadership; and
Whereas, Saint Paul played an important role in providing educational
opportunities for African American children through Cane Branch Elementary
School and Saint Paul Elementary School, helping prepare generations of servant
leaders, including Dr. Henry N. Tisdale, former President of Claflin
University; and
Whereas, Saint Paul experienced significant denominational changes,
becoming Saint Paul Methodist Church in 1939 and Saint Paul United Methodist
Church in 1968, and became part of the unified South Carolina Conference in
1972 following the end of racially divided conferences; and
Whereas, the congregation established and sustained ministries,
including choirs, youth and children's ministries, education, community
outreach, and leadership development, with faithful members such as Mrs. Willar
Mae Tisdale making significant contributions to the life and ministry of the
church; and
Whereas, Saint Paul purchased additional property for a cemetery and
future development and, in 1992, constructed its present church facility, which
was consecrated on January 17, 1993, under the leadership of Reverend John A.
Sellers; and
Whereas, throughout the years, Saint Paul has remained resilient in
the face of challenges, including the devastation of Hurricane Hazel in 1954
and the COVID-19 pandemic, during which the congregation continued worship,
prayer, Bible study, outreach, and ministry through the use of technology and
other means; and
Whereas, during the COVID-19 closure, Saint Paul completed extensive
renovations and improvements to its facility, including upgraded sound and
security systems, expanded online giving, and partnered with the Medical
University of South Carolina to provide COVID-19 vaccination clinics to the
community; and
Whereas, Saint Paul has continued to expand its ministry and
leadership, including sending forth members called into ordained ministry,
supporting community outreach initiatives, and constructing a new parsonage at
104 Alice McCrea Road, completed in 2024; and
Whereas, under the leadership of its pastors, lay leaders, trustees,
officers, and faithful members, Saint Paul United Methodist Church has served
as a beacon of faith, hope, education, fellowship, and community service for
one hundred fifty years; and
Whereas, presently led by the Reverend Jerry Gadsden, the church will
celebrate its one hundred fiftieth anniversary from October 16-18, 2026, under
the theme, "Celebrating 150 years of God's amazing faithfulness: Reflecting on
our past, rejoicing in the present, and walking by faith into the future"; and
Whereas, Saint Paul United Methodist Church has been a beacon of
light and a community worship center in the Kingstree area for one hundred
fifty years, 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, congratulate Saint Paul United
Methodist Church on the occasion of its one hundredth fiftieth anniversary for
a century and a half of service to God and the community.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to
Saint Paul United Methodist Church.
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This web page was last updated on August 11, 2026 at 03:03 PM