Bill Text: VA SJR139 | 2010 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending Elam Baptist Church on the occasion of its 200th anniversary.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2010-03-14 - Senate: Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ139ER) [SJR139 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2010-SJR139-Enrolled.html
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WHEREAS, Elam Baptist Church of Charles City and its faithful congregation celebrates 200 years of serving the Lord and the residents of Charles City in 2010; and WHEREAS, organized in 1810 with the help of First Church (Gilfield Baptist Church) of Petersburg and under the leadership of Brother Abram A. Brown, Elam Baptist Church is considered to be one of the oldest regular organized churches for people of color in Virginia; and WHEREAS, in 1813, the Reverend William Clopton was appointed the first pastor of Elam and the church met on Elam Cemetery Road; his son, the Reverend James Clopton, succeeded him; and WHEREAS, the third pastor was the Reverend James Christian who served from 1850 until 1865; his assistant of color, the Reverend James Brown, did the majority of the preaching; and WHEREAS, the first pastor of color was the Reverend Samuel Brown, son of Abram Brown; an able and dedicated man, he served as an exemplary pastor until his death in 1881; and WHEREAS, in 1908, the Reverend Wesley P. Curl was called and it was under his pastorate that the church celebrated its centennial; and WHEREAS, under the pastorate of the Reverend John Kemp, Elam Baptist Church started construction of a new building at the current location, 13060 The Glebe Lane; and WHEREAS, the congregation of Elam Baptist Church dealt with misfortune as fire struck before the building was completed and again after it was rebuilt, but the strong and resilient congregation forged ahead and continues to use the rebuilt church today; and WHEREAS, Elam Baptist Church has been served throughout its 200-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, throughout its long history, Elam Baptist Church has provided the devoted congregation, neighbors, and community with a special place to worship, to help others, and to grow in faith and service; and WHEREAS, the current pastor, the Reverend Horace B. Parham, Jr., a humble man who will guide the members of Elam Baptist Church as they work for God to fulfill their purposes, has a philosophy of "take nothing for granted" and love God and fellow man; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Elam Baptist Church of Charles City on the occasion of its glorious 200th anniversary; and, be it RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Reverend Horace B. Parham, Jr., and the congregation of Elam Baptist Church of Charles City as an expression of the General Assembly's best wishes for a joyful celebration and future success in the church's ministry. |
