HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 941 Offered February 16, 2007 Commending Mount Pleasant Baptist Church on the occasion of its 140th anniversary.  ----------
Patrons-- Watts, Bulova, Ebbin, Hull, Moran, Scott, J.M. and Sickles; Senators: Saslaw, Ticer and Whipple
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WHEREAS, Mount Pleasant Baptist Church of Alexandria was established 140 years ago by a group of freed slaves, who came to Northern Virginia seeking a new way of life; and

WHEREAS, a wealthy landowner, Charles H. Brown, sold the newly freed men and their families 60 acres of land on which to build homes, and he and his wife also donated one acre of land for a new church; and

WHEREAS, on September 7, 1867, the land was officially deeded for the church and a one-room log building was constructed and used for Sunday services, as well as a school for the children; and

WHEREAS, over the years, Mount Pleasant Baptist Church has undergone four major rebuilding programs, including enlargement of the original log church; construction of a new brick building on the same site, completed debt-free in 1931; the addition of a choir loft, pastor’s study, and other meeting rooms; and finally, the present modern sanctuary, completed in 1977 with the mortgage paid in full on April 3, 1983; and

WHEREAS, beginning with the Reverend Laws, who was minister from 1867 to 1879, Mount Pleasant Baptist Church has been served throughout its 140-year history by immensely dedicated and able pastors, who have provided visionary leadership, devout worship, meaningful Christian education, and enthusiastic ministry and community missions; and

WHEREAS, an inspirational and compassionate minister, the Reverend Dr. Harry J. Pilson, Sr., came to lead Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in 1988; and

WHEREAS, the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church congregation has sought to "search for, develop, and implement innovative ways for each member to serve, using the gifts God has given each of us"; and

WHEREAS, throughout its long history, Mount Pleasant Baptist Church has provided its devoted congregation, its neighbors, and the community a place to worship, to help others, and to grow in faith and service; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Mount Pleasant Baptist Church on the occasion of its 140th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Reverend Dr. Harry J. Pilson, Sr., as an expression of the General Assembly's best wishes for a joyful celebration and future success in the church's ministry.