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2017 SESSION
WHEREAS, 2017 marks the 150th anniversary of the founding of First Mount Zion Baptist Church of Dumfries; and
WHEREAS, First Mount Zion Baptist Church was established with 30 members as Mount Zion Baptist Church in 1867, in the Rock Hill District of Stafford County; and
WHEREAS, a new church was constructed after the first structure burned around 1873, and the Reverend Jacob Byrd became the first pastor of what was then designated First Mount Zion Baptist Church; and
WHEREAS, church services were held once a month prior to the 1940s, when services were changed to twice a month; since 1965, services have been held every Sunday; and
WHEREAS, in 1944, the United States government purchased the original location of First Mount Zion Baptist Church, which is now part of Marine Corps Base Quantico; and
WHEREAS, First Mount Zion Baptist Church was re-established in 1947, and a new church was constructed on State Route 234; and
WHEREAS, in 1996, First Mount Zion Baptist Church broke ground for the current 108,000-square-foot church facility at 16622 Dumfries Road, a multi-million dollar project completed in two phases, in 2001 and 2004; and
WHEREAS, over the past 20 years, the congregation of First Mount Zion Baptist Church has grown dramatically from 650 members to over 4,000 members, and the church offers more than 60 different ministries; and
WHEREAS, First Mount Zion Baptist Church has transitioned from a family church to a community church that is actively involved in community outreach projects around Prince William County and beyond the borders of the Commonwealth and the country; and
WHEREAS, many pastors have served First Mount Zion Baptist Church faithfully during its distinguished history, and each has contributed to the church’s spiritual and physical growth; and
WHEREAS, First Mount Zion Baptist Church has been led since 1995 by the Reverend Dr. Luke E. Torian, its first full-time pastor, who has been locally and nationally recognized for his ministry, leadership, and service; and
WHEREAS, the congregation of First Mount Zion Baptist Church is proud of its 150-year history; it looks forward to its future and continuing to fulfill joyfully its mission of connecting people who have a desire to become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend First Mount Zion Baptist Church in Dumfries on the occasion of 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 First Mount Zion Baptist Church as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for the church’s honorable history and the congregation’s faithful devotion.