WHEREAS, O'Berry African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church has provided spiritual leadership, generous outreach, and opportunities for joyful worship to the members of the Franklin community for 162 years; and

WHEREAS, O'Berry African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Zion Church traces its roots to 1856, when members of the community gathered together to worship under a bush arbor until a small church building was completed; and

WHEREAS, O'Berry AME Zion Church's current building was completed in the late 1800s, and over the years it was upgraded from a wood to brick veneer and received several other upgrades and renovations; and

WHEREAS, throughout its history, O'Berry AME Zion Church has benefited from the able leadership of numerous pastors and has given countless local residents the strong spiritual foundation to achieve success in careers and community leadership; and

WHEREAS, in the new millennium, O'Berry AME Zion Church greatly expanded its ministries and outreach programs; refurbished its sanctuary, fellowship hall, foyer, front entrance, and doors; and made plans to add classrooms, a library, and a computer center to better serve the congregation; and

WHEREAS, a beacon of hope in the community, O'Berry AME Zion Church has played a crucial role in the foundation of many other churches in the area; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That O'Berry African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church hereby be commended on the occasion of its 162nd anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to O'Berry African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for the church's legacy of contributions to the Franklin community.