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2012 SPECIAL SESSION I

12200013D
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 505
Offered March 22, 2012
Commending Heritage Presbyterian Church.
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Patron-- Surovell
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WHEREAS, in 2012 Heritage Presbyterian Church in Alexandria will joyfully celebrate 50 years of ministering to the Mount Vernon area and beyond in its vision of Connect-Grow-Serve; and

WHEREAS, Heritage Presbyterian Church’s history extends back to mid-1961 when it was organized as Heritage United Presbyterian Church, a Mission church under the leadership of the Reverend Caroll A. Wood, consisting of 56 charter members; and

WHEREAS, through the good graces of Waynewood Elementary School, Heritage Presbyterian Church began services in the school’s cafeteria and remained there until late 1965; and

WHEREAS, the church is located on one of George Washington’s farms, and near that of George Mason; the church is endowed with a unique history extending back to the days of Captain John Smith; and

WHEREAS, the Presbytery of Washington City ultimately purchased the land, thus setting the stage for development of Heritage Presbyterian Church as the 67th church of the Presbytery in the area’s exploding population; and

WHEREAS, by hosting the right-of-way for the Alexandria & Fairfax Railway Co., the land supported Fairfax County’s recovery after the Civil War through improved capability for movement of people and goods through the county and to Mount Vernon; and

WHEREAS, in 1964 Grigg, Wood, & Brown, an architectural firm of renown for church design, was retained for architectural services; and

WHEREAS, the construction firm of W.R. Manchester, Alexandria, was selected to build the church’s first unit of its overall plan, and groundbreaking was a ceremonial event in January 1965, with construction beginning soon thereafter; and

WHEREAS, the church building was completed in late 1965, use of Waynewood Elementary School ended in October, and a service of dedication and thanksgiving was held in November 1965; and

WHEREAS, in 1970 the Northern and Southern Presbyterian churches reunited, and “United” was dropped from the church’s name; and

WHEREAS, the intervening years have seen many vigorous areas of ministry and Christian Education among others; Heritage Presbyterian Church has never ceased striving to be a Spirit-led, mission-minded community of Christians, a bedrock for the faithful in an uncertain world, and a safe pasture for all of God’s lambs worshiping, teaching, enjoying fellowship, practicing stewardship, and reaching out to their Mount Vernon community and the world; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Heritage Presbyterian Church hereby be commended on the occasion of its 50th 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 William C. Teng, pastor of Heritage Presbyterian Church, as an expression of the House of Delegates’ congratulations and appreciation for the church’s years of faithful service to its members and the local community.