West Point Baptist Church 100th Year Celebration
WHEREAS, It is with great honor that the members of the City Council of the City of Chicago are hereby informed of the 100th year anniversary of the faith community of West Point Baptist Church, by Alderman Sophia King; and
WHEREAS, Due to the flight of white churches from the Bronzeville community, in the winter of 1917, Rev. Harmon and the West Point Missionary Baptist Church members were able to purchase the old St. Mark Methodist Episcopal Church—a church completed in 1865, which was used as a chapel in connection with Camp Douglas during the Civil War. The purchase price was $22,000.00. To date, the original purchased building is one hundred forty-one (141) years old and is still owned and operated by West Point Missionary Baptist Church; and
WHEREAS, Rev. James H. Brown (pastoral service—1922-1972), who succeeded Rev. Harmon, added to the growth of the church through his leadership. Toward the latter years of his pastorate, Rev. Brown created the vision for a new, modern facility. Rev. Brown would see the vision come to pass in 1972; he died shortly thereafter; and
WHEREAS, After his passing, West Point Missionary Baptist Church called one of her staff ministers, the Rev. Dr. Carroll J. Thompson (pastoral service—1972-1997), to serve as her third pastor. Dr. Thompson was instrumental in burning the mortgage of over $400,000.00 for the new facility in three years and one month; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Dr. Thompson had a local reputation of being a caring and compassionate pastor— regularly visiting the sick and shut-in of his parish, as well as non-members. He also had a national reputation as a scholar. Dr. Thompson was the first pastor to retire; and
WHEREAS, After the retirement of Dr. Thompson, West Point Missionary Baptist Church called Rev. Corey Brooks (pastoral service-1997-2000), of Indiana, to be her fourth pastor in 80 years. Rev. Brooks introduced a new methodology of worship and witnessing to this local church. The church experienced a substantial growth during his tenure. After three years of service, Rev. Brooks organized a local church in the Chicagoland area; and
WHEREAS, West Point Missionary Baptist Church spent one year in search of her next pastor, it culminated into her calling the Rev. Dr. L. Bernard Jakes (pastoral service-2001-present), as her fifth pastor in 84 years. The Rev. Dr. Jakes was responsible for bringing healing, reconciliation and restoration to West Point Missionary Baptist Church. In addition, Dr. Jakes has led the church in Operation Divine Restoration: Redesigning, Remodeling, and Restoring a 20th Century Building Using 21st Century Designs, constructing neighborhood town homes, creating new ministries for the community, creating a vision for the 21st century, empowering the laity to actively engage in social justice, and a host of other successes. In 2010, Dr. Jakes began referring to West Point as, The Faith Family of West Point Missionary Baptist Church.
This was not a constitutional name change, but a description of what the church is -a family of faith; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Mayor and members of the Chicago City Council assembled this eight day of November 2017, do hereby recognize and celebrate The Family of Faith of West Point Baptist Church of Chicago, and hereby express our best wishes for the community on its 100th anniversary; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to West Point Baptist Church.
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