HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 61 Offered January 9, 2008 Prefiled January 2, 2008 Commending First Baptist Church on the occasion of its 140th anniversary.  ---------- Patron-- Ware, O. ----------

WHEREAS, First Baptist Church located in the City of Roanoke celebrated its 140th anniversary in September 2007; and

WHEREAS, led by the Reverend Edmund Johnson, the historic First Baptist Church in Gainsboro was established in 1867 and located east of what would become downtown Roanoke, when the community was called Big Lick; and

WHEREAS, following the hardships and suffering of the Civil War, Gainsboro began to grow and flourish, and First Baptist Church, an integral part of the community, provided a firm foundation of support for citizens and their families; and

WHEREAS, First Baptist Church's first building was located on Hart Avenue; but soon, because of a growing membership, a new church was needed and built on Diamond Hill; and

WHEREAS, the trustees purchased a brick church, built in 1850 and consecrated as Saint John's Episcopal Church, when First Baptist Church again needed room to grow; and later the congregation broke ground on Gilmer Avenue and built a wonderful church where its members would worship and serve the community for the next 84 years; and

WHEREAS, some of the beloved ministers at First Baptist Church over the years have been R. R. Jones (1882 to 1904), W. R. Brown (1904 to 1914), E. E. Ricks (1915 to 1918), A. L. James (1919 to 1958), E. L. Green (1959 to 1966), and David L. Collins (1968 to 1970); and

WHEREAS, the Reverend Kenneth B. Wright began his service as minister in 1973, and under his superb leadership and spiritual guidance, First Baptist Church expanded its church campus and its many missions in the community, including as a supporter of Alcoholics Anonymous, Total Action Against Poverty, the neighborhood food pantry and clothes closet, and numerous other vital services and programs at home and abroad; and

WHEREAS, in 1982, the faithful members of First Baptist Church and Pastor Wright moved to their glorious present church complex on Jefferson Street and Wells Avenue; and

WHEREAS, First Baptist Church has been served throughout its 140-year history by immensely dedicated and able pastors and lay people, who have provided visionary leadership, devout worship, meaningful Christian education, and an enthusiastic ministry; and

WHEREAS, throughout its rich history, First 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 First 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 Kenneth B. Wright on behalf of the congregation of First Baptist Church as an expression of the General Assembly's best wishes for future success in its ministry.