A house RESOLUTION

TO CONGRATULATE BLACKJACK BAPTIST CHURCH OF WINNSBORO ON THE OCCASION OF ITS HISTORIC TWO HUNDRED SECOND ANNIVERSARY AND TO COMMEND THE CHURCH FOR MORE THAN TWO CENTURIES OF SERVICE TO GOD AND THE COMMUNITY.

Whereas, founded in 1822, Blackjack Baptist Church of Winnsboro is celebrating its two hundred second anniversary of gospel ministry in 2024, and to mark this important milestone, the church will hold a special day of celebration on Sunday, April 14, 2024; and

Whereas, according to compiled records, a few slaves who desired to worship God in their own way organized the church in the early 1820s. They joined forces and built a brush arbor as a shelter near the present church site, 178 Reservoir Road in Winnsboro. People came from miles around for worship services for many years. Legend has it that the name "Blackjack" was derived from the large blackjack oak trees and berries surrounding the area. On April 11, 1873, the officers and members of Fairfield Baptist Church, located across the road from the brush arbor, deeded the brush arbor property to their former slaves, and there a small framed church was built. As the church continued to grow, the first usher board was organized in the mid 1920s; and

Whereas, in the early 1930s, the church was destroyed by fire. Through faith and perseverance, the church was rebuilt. During the reconstruction of the church, the true brotherly love of Christian friends was shown by Presbyterian neighbors from Shiloh, who shared their facilities with the devastated church throughout its recovery from the fire. A framed structure was completed in 1935; and

Whereas, the church's facilities have been updated gradually over the years, with one structure remaining constant: the 1930 bell tower, which sits prominently atop the sanctuary. Improvement projects include an educational building, new pews, more classrooms, a pastor's study, a new HVAC system, a church bus, and an access ramp; the paving of parking areas and the renovation of the educational building with the addition of restrooms and handicap access; and the renovation of the front of the sanctuary, including new choir lofts and pulpit; and

Whereas, spiritually, the church family has continued to grow and prosper under the leadership of various pastors, each of whom has become a part of Blackjack Baptist's rich heritage. The church has been blessed with the addition of many ministries, such as Wednesday prayer meeting and Bible study; the hosting of the Church School Seminars and Missions Workshop of the Gethsemane Baptist Association, of which Blackjack has been a member for more than one hundred years; children's church; and the Blackjack Baptist Church Youth Usher Board; and

Whereas, the church, currently led by the Reverend Dr. Preston Harrison as pastor, has sought to carry out the Great Commission with faithfulness and dedication. Pastor Harrison's ministry has opened unprecedented opportunities for the church, a few of which are the Blackjack Missionary Medicine Ministry, streaming church services, two grants to finance new church initiatives, the Blackjack Baptist Minister Training Class, and the remodeling and documenting of the church cemetery; and

Whereas, standing on the faith and strength of its early pastors and members, Blackjack's present congregation "press[es] toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14, KJV), continuing to preach and teach the Word of God; and

Whereas, Blackjack Baptist Church has been a beacon of light and a community worship center in Winnsboro for over two hundred years, and, God willing, will continue its heritage for many more years of worship and service. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, congratulate Blackjack Baptist Church of Winnsboro on the occasion of its historic two hundred second anniversary and commend the church for more than two centuries of service to God and the community.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Blackjack Baptist Church.

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