SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2006 SESSION

062392748
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 258
Offered February 21, 2006
Commending Trinity Baptist Church on its centennial anniversary.
----------
Patrons-- Lambert, Locke, Lucas, Marsh and Miller; Delegates: Alexander, BaCote, Dance, Hall, Howell, A.T., McClellan, McEachin, Melvin, Spruill and Ward
----------

WHEREAS, in 1906, several African American men and women of faith in the Richmond community were divinely inspired to study the Word and worship together and organized a Sunday School, the Sixth Mount Zion Mission, as the foundation to an envisioned church; and

WHEREAS, the Sixth Mount Zion Mission requested that the Baptist Churches Council, an ecclesiastical organization of African American Baptist churches in Richmond, extend recognition to the congregation as the Trinity Baptist Church, and the congregation was so recognized on August 6, 1906; and

WHEREAS, the Trinity Baptist Church family purchased property from the Mount Carmel Baptist congregation and located its first church building at Fritz and Saint James Streets, built a new edifice at a new location several years later, and in October 1967, moved to its current facility in Northside Richmond; and

WHEREAS, on December 25, 1975, the Trinity Baptist Church family burned the mortgage to its current church building; and

WHEREAS, the Trinity Baptist Church family has been served throughout its 100-year history by eminently qualified and able pastors who provided visionary leadership for effective worship, Christian education, missions, evangelism, and ministry; and

WHEREAS, a bulwark in the African American community, Trinity Baptist Church has also enjoyed a reputation throughout the years for dynamic worship, exceptional preaching, outstanding teaching, stirring gospel music, and dedicated community involvement; and

WHEREAS, the church family has entered a new era of Christian ministry under the leadership of its current pastor, and the ministries of the church have been expanded substantially to equip the faithful to transform the world through Christian love, witness, and service; and

WHEREAS, the pastor and people, unified and committed to fulfilling their divine purpose, and steadfastly determined to live according to the precepts of their faith, demonstrate their faith by serving others through many ministries to the church family, local community, the Commonwealth, and the national and international communities; and

WHEREAS, through its several ministries, the Trinity Baptist Church family serves persons who are incarcerated or need food and shelter, assistance with homework, support and pastoral counseling; provides opportunities for Christian growth, nurture, and edification through its media, music, education, and children and youth ministries; and befriends the churched and the unchurched through its home and foreign missions ministries; and

WHEREAS, as treasures in earthen vessels, the pastor and members of the Trinity Baptist Church family have remained "on the wall," unwavering in faithful service to God and his people for 100 years, striving through "personhood, education, relationship, faith, integrity, and community (PERFEC)" to be agents of positive change; and

WHEREAS, fortified by grace and having embraced the future with hope that does not disappoint, the Trinity Baptist Church family has determined to labor in the vineyard with fervor and perseverance for another 100 years, if the trumpet does not sound; and

WHEREAS, Trinity Baptist Church is lauded for 100 marvelous years of spiritual and moral leadership, and dedication to its most glorious mission; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That Trinity Baptist Church hereby be commended on its centennial anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Reverend Dr. A. Lincoln James, Pastor of Trinity Baptist Church, as an expression of the General Assembly’s best wishes for continued success on the momentous occasion of the 100th anniversary of the church.