GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2001
S	2
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 359
 Rules and Operations of the Senate Committee Substitute Adopted 10/3/01 

Sponsors:	     	
Referred to:	     	
March 7, 2001

     
A JOINT RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND MEMORY OF HENRY EVANS, FOUNDeR OF EVANS METROPOLITAN AME ZION CHURCH ON THE CHURcH'S TWO HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY.

Whereas, in 1801, Henry Evans, a free black cobbler and Methodist minister from Virginia, settled in the City of Fayetteville, believing it was by divine appointment that he preach the Gospel to the people in the area; and
Whereas, Henry Evans found resistance to his preaching and was accused of several crimes, including suspicion of being a runaway slave, and was driven out of town; and
Whereas, despite many obstacles, Henry Evans remained in the area and continued preaching; and
Whereas, in 1801, the Methodist Society led by Henry Evans built its first church known as Evans Meeting House; and
Whereas, Henry Evans was the first black preacher to establish a congregation in the Methodist system; and
Whereas, in 1802, Fayetteville town leaders granted Henry Evans a license to preach; and
Whereas, in 1831, the congregation at Evans Meeting House was composed of 333 blacks and 145 whites; and
Whereas, both blacks and whites worshiped together at Evans Meeting House until 1850; and
Whereas, in 1866, the Evans Metropolitan Church joined the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Zion denomination and became the first church of the Fayetteville District of the Central North Carolina Conference; and
Whereas, for 200 years, the Evans Metropolitan AME Zion Church of Fayetteville has provided a place of worship for the community and the surrounding area; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
SECTION 1.  The General Assembly honors the life and memory of Henry Evans and congratulates the Evans Metropolitan AME Zion Church on its 200th anniversary.
SECTION 2.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the Pastor of Evans Metropolitan AME Zion Church.
SECTION 3.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.