SALUTING THE 5QTH ANNIVERSARY OF GREATER BETHLEHEM HEALING TEMPLE
WHEREAS, Originally named Bethlehem Tabernacle, the Greater Bethlehem Healing Temple's current edifice was dedicated in 1954 by Minister Charles Edward Poole in the hope of ministering to the needs of people and has become since then, an asset to the community. It is located on 12 South Oakley Boulevard in the 2nd Ward. Throughout the years, it has been recognized as a place of worship and prayer that receives everyone with open arms; and
WHEREAS, The Greater Bethlehem Healing Temple was first founded on the corner of Lake and Leavitt streets in 1932. With the help of many, a new church on Campbell Avenue was built in 1954 and was named the Bethlehem Healing Temple. The Temple's congregation quickly outgrew its building and later acquired their present location on South Oakley Boulevard. Soon congregations were being established in Brooklyn, New York; Boston, Massachusetts; Atlanta, Georgia; Gary, Indiana and Lockport, Illinois, as well as globally in the African nations of Ghana, Liberia and Nigeria; and
WHEREAS, Many spiritual miracles were being performed and the word of the spiritual healing that took place had spread globally, welcoming people from around the world to be a part of these experiences. The church expanded their outreach through literature, record albums, and tapes, hoping to bring in people from all walks of life. Mail was being received from all around the world from more than 25,000 people resulting in a dispute with the United States Postal Service. This concluded with a victory for the Bethlehem Healing Temple and they were awarded Blue Ribbon Commendation as a seal of recognition. An annual "Day of Thanks' is set aside each year for the victory won in Washington; and
WHEREAS, As time went on, the church was served by several different pastors and in 2001, after the death of Bishop Arcenia C. Richards, a dispute arose as to who would be appointed Pastor. This led to a serious confrontation that was settled with a Supreme Court ruling on September 2007. The church was renamed the Greater Bethlehem Healing Temple. In January 2006, the current pastor, Bishop Chester Hudson was elected and the Temple has witnessed a continuing success through the movement of the Holy Spirit; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable Robert W. Fioretti, Alderman of the 2nd Ward, has apprised this august body concerning the significant milestone of this iconic spiritual institution; now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED That we, the Mayor and members of the City of Chicago City Council, gathered together this 24th Day of July, 2013 AD, do hereby salute the Greater Bethlehem Healing Temple on the occasion of the beginning of the Golden Jubilee at its current location and express our best wishes for decades to come in their continuing their commitment to the community and their spiritual mission.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to the Pastor of Greater Bethlehem Healing Temple, Bishop Chester Hudson.