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2012 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 11
Commending Oak Grove Baptist Church on the occasion of its 250th anniversary.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 13, 2012
Agreed to by the Senate, January 19, 2012

 

WHEREAS, Oak Grove Baptist Church, the oldest commissioned Baptist church in the state of Virginia, located in the Pungo Ridge area of Virginia Beach, joyfully celebrates 250 years of worshipping in the Baptist tradition while serving those in the community; and

WHEREAS, Oak Grove Baptist Church traces its roots to America’s colonial days, when local individuals breaking from the Anglican Church of England united to create a congregation in Camden, North Carolina, which became known as Shiloh Baptist Church; and

WHEREAS, in 1762, 45 members of Shiloh Baptist Church petitioned to form their own church in the Virginia colony, Pungo Baptist Church, where they were served by circuit riders from North Carolina until they chose their first pastor, the Reverend George Plummer, in 1766; and

WHEREAS, for the first 45 years of its existence, Pungo Baptist Church members met in a building of their own and continued to grow in faith and numbers while reaching out to those in the community; and

WHEREAS, after a fire destroyed the first church building, the church met in different locations until it built a new building in a grove of red and white oak trees, from which it derived its current name, Oak Grove Baptist Church; and

WHEREAS, the new building, which serves as the sanctuary of the modern-day church, underwent several renovations, notably one after it served as a stable for Union troops during the Civil War; and

WHEREAS, throughout its long history, Oak Grove Baptist Church has been ably served by over 60 dedicated pastors, who have provided meaningful and inspiring worship, sound biblical teaching, and a strong commitment to mission service; and

WHEREAS, members of Oak Grove Baptist Church have valiantly served those around them while nurturing their faith through worship, Sunday school, Bible studies, choir, and mission activities; and

WHEREAS, since its early days, Oak Grove Baptist Church has been instrumental in helping other churches organize, including Blackwater Baptist in 1774, London Bridge Baptist in 1784, St. John’s Baptist in 1853, Little Piney Grove Baptist in 1870, and Knotts Island Baptist in 1876; and

WHEREAS, as Oak Grove Baptist Church celebrates its historic 250th anniversary, it looks forward to remembering its legacy while planning for its future; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Oak Grove Baptist Church on the occasion of its 250th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Oak Grove Baptist Church as an expression of the General Assembly’s congratulations and admiration for the Church’s rich history and service to the community.