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2020 SESSION

20101871D
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 129
Offered February 18, 2020
Commending the Zion Baptist Church of Lightfoot.
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Patrons-- Norment and Mason
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WHEREAS, the Zion Baptist Church of Lightfoot celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2019; and

WHEREAS, in 1919, members of the congregation at the First Baptist Church in Williamsburg formed their own church, the Zion Baptist Church of Lightfoot; and

WHEREAS, initially only a few members in a one-room building owned by W.T. Brown, the Zion Baptist Church of Lightfoot congregation grew under the leadership of the Reverend L.W. Wales, eventually prompting the need for a full-time pastor; and

WHEREAS, the Reverend E.D. McCray served the Zion Baptist Church of Lightfoot congregation from 1920 to 1925, followed by the Reverend F.E. Segar, who led the church for 42 years until he retired in 1967; meanwhile, Sister Gladys Stone served as church clerk from 1920 to 1947; and

WHEREAS, the next minister to lead the congregation, the Reverend Lloyd Williams, Sr., contributed greatly to the church’s progress; during his tenure from 1968 to 1991, membership in the Zion Baptist Church of Lightfoot increased, new auxiliaries were created, and services such as Sunday School Worship and Wednesday night Bible Study fostered deeper engagement with the church; and

WHEREAS, the growth of the church demanded a new sanctuary, and construction of the current Zion Baptist Church of Lightfoot began in 1970; continuing on this forward path, the church built an additional building in the 2010s to further expand its sanctuary; and

WHEREAS, in recent years, the congregation has been well-served by the wisdom and guidance of the Reverend Carlton B. Johnson, the Reverend Horace Suber, and the current pastor, the Reverend Valerie Matthews; and

WHEREAS, the Zion Baptist Church of Lightfoot has been an integral part of many lives and a beacon for the community the past 100 years; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Zion Baptist Church of Lightfoot on the occasion of its 100th anniversary of service; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Reverend Valerie Matthews, pastor of the Zion Baptist Church of Lightfoot, as an expression of the General Assembly’s deep admiration for the church’s history and best wishes for the future.