WHEREAS, for 90 years, New Calvary Baptist Church has provided wise spiritual leadership, opportunities for joyful worship in the Baptist tradition, and generous outreach to the residents of Norfolk; and

WHEREAS, New Calvary Baptist Church traces its origins to Second Calvary Baptist Church, which was formed in 1879 and served the community for decades until it was forced to briefly close during the Great Depression; and

WHEREAS, members of the Second Calvary Baptist Church congregation worked diligently to reorganize and reopen the church as New Calvary Baptist Church on May 16, 1934; and

WHEREAS, since that time, New Calvary Baptist Church has benefited from the stable and inspirational leadership of five pastors, including the Reverend Dr. D.Y. Campbell, the Reverend Dr. Samuel A. Wilson, the Reverend Dr. Milton Reid, the Reverend Dr. Gilbert G. Campbell, Jr., and the Reverend Dr. William Marcus Small; and

WHEREAS, over the course of its long history, New Calvary Baptist Church has grown with the Norfolk community, providing outstanding services and ministries to the members of the congregation, while working to enhance the quality of life throughout the city; and

WHEREAS, New Calvary Baptist Church's outreach ministry has provided food, groceries, clothing, and other necessities to more than 900 people, and the church operates a community development corporation that helps those in need find affordable housing, support services, and job opportunities; and

WHEREAS, New Calvary Baptist Church has done astounding work for its members and the community for the past 90 years and is well poised to continue fulfilling its mission; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend New Calvary Baptist Church on the occasion of its 90th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Reverend Dr. William Marcus Small, pastor of New Calvary Baptist Church, as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for the church's work to revitalize the community.