Assembly Resolution No. 636
BY: M. of A. Raynor
COMMEMORATING the 89th Anniversary of the Greater
Second Baptist Church of Freeport, New York
WHEREAS, Religious institutions, and the many spiritual, social and
educational benefits they confer, play a vital role in the development
of the moral fabric of a responsible citizenry; and
WHEREAS, It is the tradition of this State and this Nation to pay
tribute to those institutions and individuals who have contributed to
the ethical and spiritual values of their communities; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the
89th Anniversary of the Greater Second Baptist Church of Freeport, New
York, celebrated on Sunday, June 2, 2019; and
WHEREAS, On April 6, 1930, Reverend E. M. Griffin, J. P. M.
Anderson, Homer Yearby, Ralph Eberhardt, George Bullock, Charles Nick,
Ossie Haynes, Margaret Gray, and Mary E. Tyes, answered the call of
Reverend Jones at his home, 80 Alexander Avenue in Freeport, New York;
and
WHEREAS, Within months, the mission moved to 154 East Merrick Road,
where a meeting was held on June 30, 1930, for the purpose of organizing
the mission into a church; this newly organized church was named Second
Baptist Church; and
WHEREAS, Reverend William Jones became the first pastor, serving
from 1930-1937, with Reverend E. M. Griffin as the Assistant Pastor; on
December 3, 1931, the church was incorporated and property located at
129 East Merrick Road, containing a small church building, was purchased
as the new site and church home on April 21, 1933; and
WHEREAS, Under the leadership of Reverend R. G. Harris (1938-1953),
indoor bathrooms and a new heating system were installed, new pews were
purchased, the existing mortgage was liquidated, and a parsonage was
purchased at 17 Helen Avenue; and
WHEREAS, The third pastor, Reverend F. H. Davis, served from 1953
until 1955, during which time the Alpha, Beta and Gamma clubs were
organized; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Dr. E. Mitchell Mallette (Bishop) served as the
fourth pastor from April of 1956, until his death on June 26, 1998;
ordained at just 16 years old, this extraordinary man's Gospel Preaching
acclaimed him a National and International Evangelist; and
WHEREAS, Today, the Greater Second Baptist Church is led by Reverend
Dr. Eric Charles Mallette, who was installed as Co-Pastor on June 16,
1996, and as Pastor after the death of Reverend Dr. E. Mitchell Mallette
in 1998; and
WHEREAS, Under the luminous direction of Reverend Dr. Eric Charles
Mallette, the Greater Second Baptist Church stands on the threshold of
tomorrow, prepared to meet the challenges of the coming decades while
retaining that spiritual resolve which characterizes its past; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to take note of
enduring religious institutions and to bring such institutions to the
attention of the people of this Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 89th Anniversary of the Greater Second Baptist Church of
Freeport, New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Reverend Dr. Eric Charles Mallette, Greater Second
Baptist Church.
