South Carolina H 5585: SC State Guard

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 5585 Text of Previous Version (Apr. 23, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 5585

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A concurrent RESOLUTION

TO HONOR AND CONGRATULATE MT. HEBRON UNITED 
METHODIST CHURCH OF WEST COLUMBIA ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 225TH ANNIVERSARY AND 
EXTEND HEARTFELT BEST WISHES FOR CONTINUED CHRISTIAN MINISTRY AND SERVICE IN 
THE FUTURE.

Whereas, the members of 
the South Carolina General Assembly are pleased to learn that Mt. Hebron United 
Methodist Church of West Columbia celebrates its two hundred twenty-fifth 
anniversary in 2026, marking over two centuries of faithful service to 
Lexington County and South Carolina; and

Whereas, for two hundred 
twenty-five years, Mt. Hebron United Methodist Church has been a pillar of the 
West Columbia community and Lexington County, serving as a spiritual home that 
nurtures the Christian faith across generations, welcomes all, and supports 
neighbors; and

Whereas, the church was 
founded in 1800 by pioneer pastor the Reverend Henry Sechrist, when a Methodist 
congregation gathered in the home of Martin Hook and soon constructed a small 
log church at the "Half Way Ground" near the present-day intersection of Interstate 
20 and Leaphart Road; and

Whereas, in 1837, the 
congregation built its first church on the present site and expanded its campus 
with additional buildings, including a sanctuary erected in 1907, a Sunday 
School annex added in 1930, and the present sanctuary completed in 1963, along 
with later educational, family life, and ministry facilities. The campus also 
includes historic Temperance Hall, built in the early 1860s by the Sons of 
Temperance and later restored and listed on the National Register of Historic 
Places, supporting the church's fellowship and educational ministries; and

Whereas, today the 
church offers a broad ministry for all ages, including Sunday School, active 
children's and youth programs, Vacation Bible School, and weekday studies and 
fellowship that nurture spiritual growth; and

Whereas, the church 
further enriches congregational life through a vibrant music ministry and 
extends its outreach through United Women in Faith, the United Methodist Men, 
and Scouting programs, along with ministries such as the Mt. Hebron Counseling 
Center, Hebron Day School, and mission partnerships including Henderson 
Settlement, the Memory Café, and the Salkehatchie Summer Service Project; and

Whereas, through faith 
in Christ and steadfast perseverance, the church remains resilient and 
continues to flourish in its mission of worship, discipleship, and service; and

Whereas, in observance 
of its 225th anniversary, the church has highlighted its ministries through 
"Fourth Sunday" focuses and special activities, culminating in a service on 
August 23, 2026, featuring Bishop Leonard Fairley and Mt. Hebron's pastor, the 
Rev. Dr. Ann DeRosset Kovan. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House 
of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the 
South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, honor and congratulate Mt. 
Hebron United Methodist Church of West Columbia on the occasion of its 225th 
anniversary and extend heartfelt best wishes for continued Christian ministry 
and service in the future. 

Be it further resolved that 
a copy of this resolution be presented to Mt. Hebron United Methodist Church.

----XX---

This web page was last updated on April 23, 2026 at 11:14 AM