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2011 SESSION
WHEREAS, Suffolk Christian Church and its faithful congregation celebrated 150 years of service to the Lord and the Suffolk community in 2010; and
WHEREAS, the enthusiastic building committee of Suffolk Christian Church met in 1860 to contract to build a house of worship; this was done before the church even officially began later that year with 25 charter members at the home of its first pastor, Dr. William B. Wellons; and
WHEREAS, Suffolk Christian Church was dedicated in March of 1861 and the church met briefly until Union forces marched into Suffolk, occupied the town, and used the church for services conducted by Union chaplains and as a hospital; and
WHEREAS, after the Civil War, Dr. Wellons gathered the scattered flock and led the church until 1876; for the next six years, Suffolk Christian Church was led by the Reverends Jesse Whitley and William Walker; and
WHEREAS, in 1882 Dr. William Staley became pastor and provided visionary leadership to the congregation of Suffolk Christian Church for the next 50 years, overseeing the building of a new house of worship while the congregation grew in faith; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Staley also served for 11 years as president of Elon College, where he forged a close association with the school that continues to this day with Suffolk Christian Church awarding three scholarships each year to Elon University students; and
WHEREAS, in 1962 the Reverend Dr. Robert Marr was called as pastor of Suffolk Christian Church and led the congregation with a calm spirit and steady hand during the turbulent times of the struggle for civil rights; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Marr also provided valuable outreach to the community through his generous service on local boards and commissions; and
WHEREAS, today, Suffolk Christian Church is led by the able Reverend Michael D. Halley, who continues to uphold the church’s strong history of service and faith; and
WHEREAS, members of the Suffolk Christian Church congregation reach out to residents of the local community through a youth fellowship program for middle and high school youth; service at the Salvation Army soup kitchen; and storage, sorting, and distribution help for the annual “coats for the community” program; and
WHEREAS, throughout its long history, Suffolk Christian Church has provided its devoted congregation, its neighbors, and the community a place in which to worship, to help others, and to grow in faith and service; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend Suffolk Christian Church on the occasion of its 150th anniversary; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Reverend Michael D. Halley as an expression of the General Assembly’s congratulations and best wishes for future success in its ministries.