A Resolution Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ
WHEREAS, On Christmas Day 1916, Elder William Matthew Roberts arrived in Chicago from Memphis, Tennessee to organize the first Church of God in Christ in the City with his wife, family and 13 women as charter members, including Lillian Brooks Coffey who would later become General Supervisor of Women; and
WHEREAS, Within months, the first revival was held in 1917 and in 1919 Roberts was named Overseer when he held the first State Convocation in Illinois; and
WHEREAS, The Church was flourishing and an edifice was built for the Glory of God at 4021 S. State St. which, while called Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ, came to be known as "Fortieth" and would grow to become the first mega church of the denomination, necessitating expansion in 1944; and
WHEREAS, In 1955 Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ played an important role in the Civil Rights Movement when the Church hosted thousands of mourners at the funeral of young EmmettTill; and
WHEREAS, Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ is now recognized as a Chicago Landmark and is featured in the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC; and
WHEREAS, The great work that Bishop W.M. Roberts began in 1916, continues in the new millennium through ten Jurisdictional prelates and over 400 Church of God in Christ Pastors and Churches across Chicago and Illinois; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the City Council of the City of Chicago gathered here in assembly this 22nd Day of February, 2017 A.D., do hereby congratulate Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ on its 100th Anniversary.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ.
Pat Dowell Alderman, 3rd Ward