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PRINTER'S NO. 4427
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
1017
Session of
2020
INTRODUCED BY KIM, SAYLOR, HELM, SONNEY, FREEMAN, STURLA,
CALTAGIRONE, PICKETT, GALLOWAY, HAHN, ROTHMAN, MACKENZIE,
McNEILL, BOBACK, HARKINS, HOWARD, MILLARD, ISAACSON,
LONGIETTI, KORTZ AND HOHENSTEIN, SEPTEMBER 25, 2020
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
SEPTEMBER 25, 2020
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the bicentennial of the Grace United Methodist
Church in Harrisburg.
WHEREAS, The Grace United Methodist Church is located in
Harrisburg at 216 State Street directly across from the
Pennsylvania State Capitol Building; and
WHEREAS, The congregation is considered the "Mother of
Methodism" as the first Methodist Episcopal Church in the City
of Harrisburg; and
WHEREAS, The original church, built in 1820 and located at
Second and South Street, still stands today; and
WHEREAS, The building was later used by the Ohev Sholom
Temple in 1853 after the church moved to a new location on
Locust Street; and
WHEREAS, A third church, located at 216 State Street, became
Grace Methodist Episcopal Church and was constructed between
1871 and 1878; and
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WHEREAS, When the State Capitol Building burned to the ground
in 1897, the legislature convened in Grace Methodist Episcopal
Church; and
WHEREAS, The church graciously allowed the legislature to
make use of its building for as long as was deemed necessary;
and
WHEREAS, The House of Representatives met in the sanctuary of
the church, while the Senate met in the assembly room; and
WHEREAS, Smaller rooms were reserved for caucus and committee
meetings; and
WHEREAS, While the church was used as a temporary Capitol
Building, the congregation of Grace Methodist Episcopal Church
met at the Harrisburg Opera House; and
WHEREAS, Much debate occurred over returning the State's seat
of government to Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, Had the church not offered up the use of its
building, the State capital would have likely returned to
Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, The legislature continued to meet in the church
building from February 8, 1897, until December 31, 1898, upon
completion of the new State Capitol Building; and
WHEREAS, The church was remodeled in 1899 and again in 1940;
and
WHEREAS, Today, the Grace United Methodist Church is
considered one of the most beautiful sanctuaries in this
Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, Despite recent hardships and the continued pandemic,
the congregation continues to grow with attendance doubling in
the past year; and
WHEREAS, The congregation of the Grace United Methodist
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Church is welcoming of everyone; and
WHEREAS, This year marks the 200th anniversary of the
establishment of the church; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
bicentennial of the Grace United Methodist Church in Harrisburg;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives thank the
congregation of the Grace United Methodist Church for the use of
its building as the temporary State Capitol Building; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to
the Pastor of Grace United Methodist Church and to the Resident
Bishop of the Harrisburg Area for the United Methodist Church.
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