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2011 SESSION


SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 338
Commending Cranford United Methodist Church on the occasion of its 110th anniversary.
 
Agreed to by the Senate, January 20, 2011
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 28, 2011
 

WHEREAS, Cranford United Methodist Church of Lorton and its congregation joyously celebrated 110 years of worship, learning, and service on October 2, 2010; and

WHEREAS, the historic site of Cranford United Methodist Church shares its rich heritage with that of the founding fathers of our nation; and

WHEREAS, Occoquan Church, which later became known as Pohick Church, was established before 1724 as an Episcopalian church near the site of present-day Cranford United Methodist Church and counted among its worshippers George Washington and George Mason; and

WHEREAS, Methodists in the area, who were few in number, worshipped on alternate Sundays at Pohick Church until Lewis Chapel, named after famed circuit preacher Reverend John Lewis, was built; and

WHEREAS, as the Methodist population began to outgrow Lewis Chapel, the congregation decided to construct a new building, finished in 1900 and named after local resident James Cranford, which is the current-day Cranford United Methodist Church; and

WHEREAS, traces of the past can be found nearby—the cemetery holds the remains of soldiers of the Revolutionary War and Civil War and Lewis Chapel, used as a hospital during the Civil War, contains the bullet holes from the guns of Union soldiers—and Lewis Chapel (now Lewis Hall) continues to be used for activities; and

WHEREAS, Cranford United Methodist Church remained on the Occoquan Circuit until 1952, and in 1956 Pastor Walter Hook became the church’s first full-time pastor; and

WHEREAS, the Cranford United Methodist Church congregation, led by immensely dedicated and able pastors, has continued to grow in faith and numbers over the years while reaching out to the community; and

WHEREAS, in 2004, the Lorton Cranford Korean Methodist Church began a ministry alongside the Cranford United Methodist Church congregation to minister to the growing Korean population in the community; and

WHEREAS, throughout its long and fascinating history, Cranford United Methodist Church has provided its devoted congregation, its neighbors, and the community, a place to worship, to help others, and to grow in faith and service; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly commend Cranford United Methodist Church on the occasion of its 110th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Reverend Lorenzo Hill, pastor of Cranford United Methodist Church, as an expression of the General Assembly’s congratulations on its successful celebration and best wishes for its future missions.