Bill Text: VA HJR936 | 2015 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending Moore Street Missionary Baptist Church.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2015-02-27 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ936ER) [HJR936 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2015-HJR936-Enrolled.html
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WHEREAS, Moore Street Missionary Baptist Church celebrates its 140th anniversary of service and ministry to the Jackson Ward neighborhood, the Richmond region, and the Commonwealth in 2015; and WHEREAS, in 1875, a group of people led by the Reverend William Troy, purchased property in Richmond's Sheep Hill neighborhood to establish a church; Moore Street Missionary Baptist Church was founded as an offshoot of Second Baptist Church; and WHEREAS, Moore Street Missionary Baptist Church was organized and dedicated on April 18, 1875; the following Sunday, April 25, 1875, the choir and Sunday school were formed, and before the year ended, the church's first Trustee Board and Deacon Board were established; and WHEREAS, the Reverend William Troy was the first pastor of Moore Street Missionary Baptist Church, and from 1881 to 1894 the pastorate was held by four people; in 1895, the Reverend Randall Johnson became pastor and served for 30 years; and WHEREAS, during the Reverend Randall Johnson's tenure, the membership of Moore Street Missionary Baptist Church increased to 2,317 people and a Baptist Young People's Union was established; in 1908, the church moved to its present location at 1408 West Leigh Street in Richmond; and WHEREAS, after the Reverend Randall Johnson retired in 1925, the Reverend Dr. Gordon B. Hancock became pastor of Moore Street Missionary Baptist Church; during his 38-year tenure, membership increased, the Social Center was built, and the church hired its first social worker, established a hospital committee, and sponsored a Boy Scout Troop; and WHEREAS, after the Reverend Gordon Hancock's retirement in 1963, the Reverend Dr. Gilbert G. Campbell became pastor; and WHEREAS, in the last 50 years, Moore Street Missionary Baptist Church has been renovated, new ministries have been added, and in 1994, the Reverend Dr. Alonza Lawrence became pastor; he continues to oversee the church's vibrant urban ministry and its major role in the life of the Jackson Ward community; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend historic Moore Street Missionary Baptist Church on the occasion of its 140th anniversary in 2015; and, be it RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Reverend Dr. Alonza Lawrence, pastor of Moore Street Missionary Baptist Church, as an expression of the General Assembly's congratulations and admiration for its service and ministry to Richmond and the Commonwealth. |
