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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