Bill Text: VA HJR499 | 2016 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending Second Mt. Zion Baptist Church.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 3-0)
Status: (Passed) 2016-03-10 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ499ER) [HJR499 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2016-HJR499-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, in 2016, Second Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Dawn celebrates its 150th anniversary of joyful worship and praise, spiritual renewal, and outreach to the community; and WHEREAS, Second Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Caroline County was organized in 1866 by members of Concord Baptist Church, who broke away from the church after the Civil War; the newly formed congregation first met in a brush arbor; and WHEREAS, the Reverend William Henry Stephens founded Second Mt. Zion Baptist Church with 264 charter members; the congregation soon built a log church, and in 1880, one-half acre of land was deeded to the church; and WHEREAS, a frame building was constructed in 1884 to house Second Mt. Zion Baptist Church; that same year, the Reverend James S. Minor was called to be minister of the church, and he faithfully served until he died in 1915; and WHEREAS, during James Minor's tenure, the members of Second Mt. Zion Baptist Church realized that their existing facilities were inadequate to accommodate the growth that had taken place in the congregation, and in 1907 a larger church was built, which—with many subsequent additions and alterations—still serves members today, 109 years later; and WHEREAS, many changes and upgrades have taken place over the years at Second Mt. Zion Baptist Church; new pews and a pulpit set were installed after World War II, and choirs and other service ministries have been established; and WHEREAS, today, the Reverend Marvin Fields is the minister of Second Mt. Zion Baptist Church, whose ranks now number 500 members; he is the great-great-great-grandson of the church's founder, William Henry Stephens; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Second Mt. Zion Baptist Church on the occasion of its 150th anniversary; and, be it RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Reverend Marvin Fields, minister of Second Mt. Zion Baptist Church, as an expression of the General Assembly's respect and admiration for the church's long history and ministry to the people of Caroline County and the Commonwealth. |