Office of the City Clerk - Record #: R2019-241

• Record #: R2019-241
• Type: Resolution
• Status: Adopted
• Intro date: 4/10/2019
• Final action: 4/10/2019
• Title: Congratulations extended to First Church of Deliverance on 90th anniversary
• Sponsors: Dowell, Pat

Date	Journal Page Number	Action By	Action	Result
4/10/2019		City Council	Introduced (Agreed Calendar)
4/10/2019	101028	City Council	Adopted	Pass

Resolution Commemorating the 90^th Anniversary of the First Church of Deliverance

WHEREAS, The First Church of Deliverance was founded by Reverend Clarence H. Cobbs on May 8,1929 in the basement of his mother's home in Bronzeville and will be celebrating their 90^th Anniversary this year; and

WHEREAS, The church moved into its current house of worship at 4315 S. Wabash Ave. in 1939, keeping Bronzeville as the spiritual center of the church community; and

WHEREAS, Designed by Walter T. Bailey, the first licensed African-American architect in the State of Illinois - with an addition built in 1946 by Kocher, Buss & DeKlerk - the beautiful streamlined Art Moderne-style building was designated as a Chicago Landmark on October 5, 1994 and still strikes a stunning skyline over Wabash Avenue; and

WHEREAS, Since its inception, First Church of Deliverance has played a prominent role in African-American history, faith and culture through Christian radio broadcasting, gospel music and community works; and

WHEREAS; Such musical luminaries as Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole, Dinah Washington and Sallie Martin were all once associated with the church and its broadcasts, which were pioneered in 1933 by Reverend Cobbs and his nationally renowned 200-person choir; and

WHEREAS, Engaging worship services at First Church of Deliverance have been led by five pastors: Reverend Clarence H. Cobbs, Reverend Eugene D. Dray, Reverend Harold D. Porter, Bishop Otto T. Houston, III and now Reverend James R. Bryson, Jr. who delivers personalized compassion and care to the community; and

WHERAS, Reverend Bryson has continued the church's long history of services through a weekly food pantry, Prison Ministry, Summer Youth Employment Ministry, clothing boutique, Back-to-School Carnival and other outreach events; and

WHEREAS, First Church of Deliverance and Reverend Bryson have been a pillar of faith and a leader in the community for 90 glorious years; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the Members of the City Council ofthe City of Chicago gathered here in assembly this 10^th Day of April, 2019 A.D. do hereby congratulate First Church of Deliverance on its 90^th Anniversary; and

Pat Dowell Alderman, 3^rd Ward

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to Reverend Bryson and the First Church of Deliverance congregation.