SJ361: Commending Shorter's Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church.
WHEREAS, in 2016, Shorter’s Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Bridgetown celebrated the 150th anniversary of its founding; and
WHEREAS, Bridgetown, located at the head of Hungars Creek near the town of Machipongo in Northampton County, is one of the oldest inhabited settlements in America; and
WHEREAS, founded as Bridgetown Church, Shorter’s Chapel African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church was started by the Reverend John Offer in 1866, just after the end of the Civil War; and
WHEREAS, Shorter’s Chapel A.M.E. Church is still located where it was originally founded and has the distinction of being one of the first churches on the Eastern Shore established by and for African Americans; and
WHEREAS, over the past century and a half, the congregation of Shorter’s Chapel A.M.E. Church has been able gradually to enlarge the original structure, which had served as a school; and
WHEREAS, one of the most recent renovations at Shorter’s Chapel A.M.E. Church was the replacement of a decaying floor, which is now a gleaming source of pride for the rural congregation; and
WHEREAS, Shorter’s Chapel A.M.E. Church is an important landmark for residents of the Bridgetown community, who want to see the historic church, its cemetery, and surrounding area preserved; and
WHEREAS, many pastors have served Shorter’s Chapel A.M.E. Church during its history, and the congregation is now led by the Reverend Alfred Vann II, who commutes from Richmond each week to conduct services; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Shorter’s Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church on celebrating the 150th anniversary of its founding; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Reverend Alfred Vann II, pastor of Shorter’s Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Bridgetown, as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for the church’s important history and legacy.
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 361
WHEREAS, in 2016, Shorter’s Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Bridgetown celebrated the 150th anniversary of its founding; and
WHEREAS, Bridgetown, located at the head of Hungars Creek near the town of Machipongo in Northampton County, is one of the oldest inhabited settlements in America; and
WHEREAS, founded as Bridgetown Church, Shorter’s Chapel African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church was started by Reverend John Offer in 1866, just after the end of the Civil War; and
WHEREAS, Shorter’s Chapel A.M.E. Church is still located where it was originally founded and has the distinction of being one of the first churches on the Eastern Shore established by and for African Americans; and
WHEREAS, over the past century and a half, the congregation of Shorter’s Chapel A.M.E. Church has been able to gradually enlarge the original structure, which had served as a school; and
WHEREAS, one of the most recent renovations at Shorter’s Chapel A.M.E. Church was the replacement of a decaying floor, which is now a gleaming source of pride for the rural congregation; and
WHEREAS, Shorter’s Chapel A.M.E. Church is an important landmark for residents of the Bridgetown community, who want to see the historic church, its cemetery, and surrounding area preserved; and
WHEREAS, many pastors have served Shorter’s Chapel A.M.E. Church during its history, and the congregation is now led by Reverend Alfred Vann II, who commutes from Richmond each week to conduct services; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Shorter’s Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church on celebrating the 150th anniversary of its founding; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Reverend Alfred Vann II, pastor of Shorter’s Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Bridgetown, as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for the church’s important history and legacy.