85R8665 ALB-D
	By: Faircloth	H.R. No. 660

	R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Members of Smith Point Community Church, in Chambers
	County, are gathering on April 29, 2017, to dedicate an Official
	Texas Historical Marker honoring that venerable congregation; and
	WHEREAS, Beginning in the late 1800s, circuit-riding Baptist
	preachers held monthly religious services for residents in the
	area, first under the trees and later in the local schoolhouse,
	which also functioned as a community fellowship center; eventually,
	a second school was built to accommodate a growing population, and
	that structure is used as the church's sanctuary to this day; and
	WHEREAS, Brother Hollis and Addie Newman officially
	reorganized Smith Point Baptist Church in 1948 with the assistance
	of Mark and Richard "Dick" Whittington; the Reverend L. J. Hand
	served as the congregation's first pastor; in 2007, the name was
	changed to Smith Point Community Church to reflect the church's
	status as the only religious institution in the area; the Reverend
	Michael K. Graves currently leads the bilingual congregation, which
	worships in both English and Spanish; and
	WHEREAS, For more than 100 years, Smith Point Community
	Church has been a source of inspiration and guidance to area
	residents, and this recognition from the Texas Historical
	Commission is a fitting tribute to the steadfastness of its members
	and to the significant role the church has played in building a
	strong and caring community; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
	Legislature hereby commemorate the dedication of an Official Texas
	Historical Marker at Smith Point Community Church and extend to the
	church's clergy, congregation, and guests sincere best wishes for a
	meaningful and memorable event; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
	prepared for the church as an expression of high regard by the Texas
	House of Representatives.