South Carolina H 5185: Cross Schools Varsity Basketball

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 5185 Text of Previous Version (Feb. 17, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 5185

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

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

A house RESOLUTION

TO CELEBRATE THE 
JOYOUS OCCASION OF THE ONE HUNDRED SIXTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MACEDONIA 
MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH AND TO CONGRATULATE AND HONOR THE CONGREGATION FOR 
THE CHURCH'S YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE DARLINGTON COMMUNITY.

Whereas, the members of 
the South Carolina House of Representatives are pleased to learn that the Macedonia 
Missionary Baptist Church celebrated its one hundred and sixtieth anniversary 
on February 11, 2026; and

Whereas, Macedonia 
Baptist Church was established on February 11, 1866, under the dynamic leadership 
of Reverend I.P. Brockenton, an ex-slave from Lee County, assisted by Dr. 
Charles Henry Corey, a white Northern Baptist Missionary and Reverend James 
Hamilton, a Black pastor from Philadelphia, who together procured thirteen 
charter members from the First Baptist Church in Darlington to withdraw their 
membership to form a new congregation; and

Whereas, the new church 
started by meeting beneath brush arbors and in homes before a permanent structure 
could be built. In December of 1866, Reverend Brockenton, along with the 
trustees, purchased land and an old house for the sum of three hundred dollars, 
and a house of worship was constructed on a portion of the property, which 
would serve as the church for nearly 70 years. The church's present site was 
acquired in 1922, and a new house of worship was first occupied on it in 1935; 
and

Whereas, in addition to 
Reverend Brockenton, who served Macedonia for 42 years (1866-1908), the 
following pastors have helped shepherd the congregation into the third decade 
of the twenty-first century: Reverend P.A. Callaham (1908-1916), Dr. James E. Kirkland 
(1916-1920), Dr. Charles DuBois Hubert (1920-1925), Dr. H.W. Long (1927-1945), Reverend 
Dr. C.L. Bowens (1945-1990), Reverend Donald L. Hughes (1990-2008), and 
Reverend Dr. Cecil L. Bromell (2009-2022). Reverend Omar Hilton currently 
serves as the church's associate pastor and is supported by two associates, Reverend 
Wesley Blathers and Minister Diane Hall; and

Whereas, among many 
milestones of the church's history, the significant physical and other 
improvements during Rev. Bowens' tenure are notable, which included the 
completion and decoration of the edifice, central heating installation, the 
completion of dining and church school spaces, the creation of the nursery and 
video ministry, the installation of elevators, a sanctuary remodel, and the 
provision of musical instruments and restroom facilities, all of which were a 
catalyst for positive change in Macedonia. Also, under Rev. Hughes' leadership, 
the church renewed its focus on education and child well-being in numerous 
ways, including the establishment of Macedonia Life Skills 501(c)(3) to enable 
Macedonia to qualify for various grants to help better serve the youth and the 
disadvantaged within the church and community, the offering of Bible studies 
and a Christian education ministry, the development of mentoring programs, an emergency 
food pantry, USDA monthly food distributions for the community, a summer feeding 
and enrichment program for community children, and a Saturday morning tutoring 
program for public school children; and

Whereas, the members of 
the House of Representatives commend Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, in 
Darlington, for over a century and a half of ministry in and service to the 
community and extend their warmest congratulations on the occasion of the 
church's historic anniversary. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the 
South Carolina House of Representatives, 
by this resolution, celebrate the joyous occasion of the one hundred sixtieth 
anniversary of the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church and congratulate and 
honor the congregation for the church's years of dedicated service to the 
Darlington community.

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