Bill Text: VA HJR393 | 2010 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Commending the Fork Church on the occasion of its 275th anniversary.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2010-03-12 - House: Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ393ER) [HJR393 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2010-HJR393-Introduced.html
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10105587D
WHEREAS, The Fork Church in Hanover County is recognized for its many contributions to the community and its fellow citizens on the occasion of the historic church's 275th anniversary; and WHEREAS, The Fork Church is a treasured monument to the early history of Hanover County and continues as a symbol of the faith that guided its founders to settle there and build a church; and WHEREAS, The Fork Church's name came from the church's location near the confluence of the North Anna and South Anna Rivers; and WHEREAS, the original place of worship was a 1722 frame structure known as the Chapel in the Forks and included a detached parish house; and WHEREAS, a fine example of Colonial architecture, the first church building was constructed on the site in 1735 as St. Martin's Parish and has served continuously as an active Anglican Episcopal church, surviving the Revolutionary War and Civil War; The Fork Church worshipers included Patrick Henry, Dolley Madison, and author Thomas Nelson Page; and WHEREAS, even though The Fork Church underwent several major renovations, some of the 1722 structure's beautiful features remain, including the 22-inch brick walls that are laid in Flemish bond with the water table below in English bond; rubbed brick door and window arches and jambs; and original frames, sills, window sashes, glass, and heavy wrought-iron hinges; and WHEREAS, one of The Fork Church's beloved items is its very rare, completely refurbished tracker organ, built in 1855 by Henry F. Berger, a German immigrant who lived in Baltimore; it is one of only two working Berger organs known to exist today; and WHEREAS, The Fork Church cemetery was established around the same time as the church and is the sacred resting place of early citizens, as well as soldiers who fought in all the wars back to the American Revolution; and WHEREAS, The Fork Church has been served over the years by immensely dedicated and able rectors, who have provided visionary leadership, devout worship, meaningful Christian education, and enthusiastic ministry and community missions; and WHEREAS, The Fork Church seats about 200 parishioners led by the Reverend Anne R. Kirchmier, who has served as rector since November 1, 2005; and WHEREAS, throughout its 275-year history, The Fork Church has provided its devoted congregation, its neighbors, and the community a place to worship, to help others, and to grow in faith and service; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend and congratulate The Fork Church on the occasion of its 275th anniversary; and, be it RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to The Fork Church as an expression of the General Assembly's best wishes for a joyful celebration and future success in its ministry. |
