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2018 SESSION


HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 35
Commending Glebe Episcopal Church.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 2, 2018

 

WHEREAS, in 2017, Glebe Episcopal Church, a National Register of Historic Places site in Suffolk, celebrated its 375th anniversary of providing spiritual leadership and generous outreach to the local community; and

WHEREAS, the history of Glebe Episcopal Church dates to 1642, when the Suffolk region was divided into three Anglican Church parishes; the following year, the congregation erected its first wood-frame church building near the old King’s Highway Bridge; and

WHEREAS, after its original building fell into disrepair, the church constructed a replacement building in 1738 at a new site and thus became known as Bennett’s Creek Church; it was later renamed Glebe Episcopal Church after the glebe lands and farms that were once used to support parish priests; and

WHEREAS, while it has been altered and remodeled since its original construction, Glebe Episcopal Church’s 1738 structure still stands today and is among the oldest church buildings in the nation; and

WHEREAS, a notable chapter in Glebe Episcopal Church’s history unfolded in 1775, when it played a role in the early days of the American Revolution; church member and colonial patriot William Cowper interrupted a pro-British sermon by a rector named John Agnew and forced him to leave his post; the incident made headlines across the colonies and served as an early indication of the unrest that led to war; and

WHEREAS, Glebe Episcopal Church continued to grow and provide fellowship and worship during the 1800s; through the efforts of the Reverend Jacob Keeling, it kept possession of its glebe lands even after the disestablishment of the Anglican Church in the United States; and

WHEREAS, in 1973, Glebe Episcopal Church’s original 1738 building was added to the National Register of Historic Places; one year later, Governor Mills E. Godwin dedicated a commemorative plaque honoring the church’s role in the American Revolution; and

WHEREAS, Glebe Episcopal Church renewed its longstanding commitment to community outreach in 2003, when it constructed a new parish hall used by local scouting groups and organizations supporting those in need; and

WHEREAS, to celebrate its 375th anniversary, Glebe Episcopal Church held a special service featuring 17th century clothing, music, and sermons, including readings from the 1559 Book of Common Prayer; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Glebe Episcopal Church hereby be commended for its years of ministry and service to the residents of Suffolk on the occasion of its 375th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Glebe Episcopal Church as an expression of the House of Delegates’ admiration for its many contributions to spiritual life in the Commonwealth.