HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 563
Commending Mount Pleasant Baptist Church on the occasion of its 144th anniversary.

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 14, 2011
Agreed to by the Senate, January 20, 2011

WHEREAS, in 2011 Mount Pleasant Baptist Church celebrates 144 years of serving the Lord and the community of Alexandria; and

WHEREAS, Mount Pleasant Baptist Church began in humble circumstances as freed slaves traveled to Alexandria in 1867 seeking a new way of life; and

WHEREAS, on their pilgrimage, the freed men met a wealthy landowner by the name of Charles Brown, who, impressed by the men's character, sold them 60 acres of land to build their homes and donated an acre of land for a church; and

WHEREAS, the men, eager to have a place for praise and study, constructed a one-room, hand-hewn log building to worship in on Sundays and use as a school during the week; and

WHEREAS, Mount Pleasant Baptist Church continued to grow physically and spiritually over the next 144 years; the log building was expanded and then moved to make way for a brick structure that was later enlarged to include a choir loft, Pastor's Study, and other rooms; and

WHEREAS, in 1992 the old sanctuary was renamed the "Pinkett and Sheppard Memorial Chapel" to honor two previous pastors of the congregation; and

WHEREAS, today, the membership of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church has grown to over 1,000 people who come from all over the Washington metropolitan area and represent various cities, states, and countries; and

WHEREAS, Mount Pleasant Baptist Church has been served throughout its 144-year history by immensely dedicated and able pastors, who have provided visionary leadership, devout worship, meaningful Christian education, and enthusiastic ministry and community missions; and

WHEREAS, in 2011 Dr. Harry J. Pilson, Sr., pastor of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, will celebrate 40 years in the ministry; he has been the beloved pastor of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church for the past 23 years; and

WHEREAS, throughout its long history, Mount Pleasant Baptist Church has provided its devoted congregation, its neighbors, and the community with a special 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 commend and congratulate Mount Pleasant Baptist Church on the occasion of its 144th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Dr. Harry J. Pilson, Sr., Pastor of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, as an expression of the General Assembly's congratulations and best wishes for future success in the church's many ministries.