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2017 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 837
Commending St. Augustine's Episcopal Church.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 3, 2017
Agreed to by the Senate, February 9, 2017

 

WHEREAS, for 120 years, St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church in Newport News has stood as a symbol of God’s faithfulness and as a church committed to service; and

WHEREAS, in 1897, St. Paul’s Church (then called Warwick Parish) in downtown Newport News established St. Paul’s Mission for 17 African American communicants led by the Reverend Joseph F. Mitchell, Vicar; and

WHEREAS, in 1924, under the leadership of the Reverend Adolphus A. Birch, Vicar, St. Paul’s Mission was renamed St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church in honor of the great African saint, St. Augustine, Bishop of Hippo (354 - 430 A.D.); and

WHEREAS, in 1952, the Reverend Lloyd M. Alexander, Vicar, spearheaded growth in membership and renovation of the edifice, and on September 11, 1960, a cornerstone was laid for the construction of a new sanctuary; and

WHEREAS, on December 2, 1962, the new St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church of contemporary design became a hallmark in the landscape of the east end of Newport News; and

WHEREAS, in 1965, under the guidance of the Reverend Robert C. S. Powell, Vicar, a long concerted effort began for the church to become a self-sufficient parish, and in February 1974 under the leadership of the Reverend Ralph E. Haines III, Rector, St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church attained full parish status; and

WHEREAS, St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church continues to be involved in community ministries such as the Outreach Commission that has ministered to the needy by providing meals and clothing since 1990; by providing meeting facilities for one of the Narcotics Anonymous programs in Newport News; by sponsoring annual diaper and back-to-school drives; and by hosting an annual Fall Festival for the surrounding community; and

WHEREAS, now led by the Reverend Terry D. Edwards, St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church is ever committed to magnifying the Lord through its mission to reach up to God in prayer and worship, reach over in peace to be reconciled with each other, and reach out in love to bring help and hope to those in need; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church on the occasion of its 120th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for the church’s legacy of spiritual leadership to the Newport News community.