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2018 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 349
Commending First Baptist Church Jefferson Park.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 2, 2018
Agreed to by the Senate, March 6, 2018

 

WHEREAS, in 2018, First Baptist Church Jefferson Park in Newport News will celebrate 100 years of providing spiritual leadership, fellowship, and opportunities for worship; and

WHEREAS, First Baptist Church Jefferson Park traces its roots to World War I, when residents of Mulberry Island near Newport News were forced to leave their homes during construction of the Fort Eustis military base; and

WHEREAS, after settling in the Jefferson Park area of Newport News, a group of islanders came together in 1918 and began holding worship services in a crude wooden building; in 1925, First Baptist Church Jefferson Park constructed a larger building to meet the needs of its growing congregation; and

WHEREAS, First Baptist Church Jefferson Park relied on the leadership of a number of influential figures during its early days, including Deacon William Wooten, the Reverend Zechariah White, the Reverend M. Massenburg, the Reverend J.O. Atkinson, and the Reverend F.A. Rylander; and

WHEREAS, the spiritual community at First Baptist Church Jefferson Park continued to grow and prosper in the 1940s and 1950s under the leadership of the Reverend Mack Samuel, who oversaw an addition to the church building, and the Reverend O.D. Henry; and

WHEREAS, in 1956, the Reverend W. Bernard Schiele joined First Baptist Church Jefferson Park as pastor; he remained the church’s leader for 41 years and guided it through the construction of its current church building in 1967 and the construction of its Education Building in 1981; and

WHEREAS, since 1999, the Reverend Reginald C. Woodhouse has served as pastor of First Baptist Church Jefferson Park; under his able leadership, the church has launched numerous support ministries such as a tutorial program, a new members class, a mass choir, a youth Bible study, a praise dance group, and a singles ministry; and

WHEREAS, in addition, Reverend Woodhouse has helped lead community outreach efforts, including working with the group Southeastern Correctional Ministries to offer worship and discipleship opportunities for incarcerated people; and

WHEREAS, during a century in operation, First Baptist Church Jefferson Park has enriched the lives of its congregants and forged strong bonds with the community; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend First Baptist Church Jefferson Park on its service to the residents of Newport News on the occasion of its 100th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to First Baptist Church Jefferson Park as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for its impressive legacy of spiritual guidance and community outreach.