SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2017 SESSION

17104023D
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 361
Offered February 3, 2017
Commending Shorter’s Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church.
----------
Patrons-- Lewis; Delegates: Bloxom and Hester
----------

WHEREAS, in 2016, Shorter’s Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Bridgetown celebrated the 150th anniversary of its founding; and

WHEREAS, Bridgetown, located at the head of Hungars Creek near the town of Machipongo in Northampton County, is one of the oldest inhabited settlements in America; and

WHEREAS, founded as Bridgetown Church, Shorter’s Chapel African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church was started by Reverend John Offer in 1866, just after the end of the Civil War; and

WHEREAS, Shorter’s Chapel A.M.E. Church is still located where it was originally founded and has the distinction of being one of the first churches on the Eastern Shore established by and for African Americans; and

WHEREAS, over the past century and a half, the congregation of Shorter’s Chapel A.M.E. Church has been able gradually to enlarge the original structure, which had served as a school; and

WHEREAS, one of the most recent renovations at Shorter’s Chapel A.M.E. Church was the replacement of a decaying floor, which is now a gleaming source of pride for the rural congregation; and

WHEREAS, Shorter’s Chapel A.M.E. Church is an important landmark for residents of the Bridgetown community, who want to see the historic church, its cemetery, and surrounding area preserved; and

WHEREAS, many pastors have served Shorter’s Chapel A.M.E. Church during its history, and the congregation is now led by Reverend Alfred Vann II, who commutes from Richmond each week to conduct services; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Shorter’s Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church on celebrating the 150th anniversary of its founding; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Reverend Alfred Vann II, pastor of Shorter’s Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Bridgetown, as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for the church’s important history and legacy.