[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1112 Introduced in House (IH)]

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115th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1112

 Congratulating Mt. Zion Baptist Church upon the occasion of its 160th 
                              anniversary.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            October 2, 2018

Mr. Brat submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
              Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Congratulating Mt. Zion Baptist Church upon the occasion of its 160th 
                              anniversary.

Whereas before the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, the citizens of Gordon 
        District in Orange County, Virginia, gathered to praise God through 
        prayer, song, and testimony;
Whereas initially the residents formed a Prayer Band in the home of Maria and 
        Peter Armstead, the first known spiritual leader, in an area referred to 
        as Peter Bottom, off Indiantown Road, in Locust Grove, Virginia;
Whereas the Mt. Zion Baptist Church's early ancestors were many, and consisted 
        of the Armstead, Broadus, Brooks, Carter, Cottoms, Henderson, Johnson, 
        Lewis, Minor, and Vass families, with birth dates as early as 1810 
        (Census 1880);
Whereas today the Prayer Band descendants are members and loyal supporters of 
        the Church;
Whereas the Prayer Band's next place of worship was a brush arbor built on a 
        corner lot subsequently purchased by Nathan Henderson and wife, Betsy;
Whereas Reverend John C. Willis, Jr. (b.1824), a White minister, was the 
        principal speaker;
Whereas in those days, many members walked to worship services, and others 
        traveled by horseback and carriages, from neighboring communities 
        referred to as Lewistown, Peter Bottom, Fox Neck, and Flat Run;
Whereas as the congregation grew in numbers and spirituality, Prayer Band 
        members decided to divide the travel distance and move from Indiantown 
        Road, Lewistown, to property owned by Abe Roach on Governor Almond Road, 
        where the congregation erected a log cabin;
Whereas Reverend Peter Armstead continued as the Prayer Band's leader until his 
        death, prior to the 1860's;
Whereas, in 1858, needing a larger sanctuary, and unable to add to the log 
        cabin, the Prayer Band moved to property on land owned by Henry Willis 
        (a few miles from Mt. Zion's present location);
Whereas during this period, Reverend Robert Woodson (b. 1815), a traveling 
        minister, served the congregation;
Whereas Reverend Wanzer Tibbs (b.1842), a traveling minister, was the Prayer 
        Band's next spiritual leader;
Whereas Reverend Tibbs named the sanctuary Zion Baptist Church, later referred 
        to as Mt. Zion Baptist Church (Colored), which was formally changed to 
        Mt. Zion Baptist Church on November 5, 2000;
Whereas from 1858 to 1995, the congregants continued their service to the Lord--
        believing, trusting, praising, and growing in their spiritual faith;
Whereas Reverend James A. Robinson (b.1863) of Spotsylvania was Mt. Zion's first 
        official Pastor and served the congregation for 33 years, from 1895 to 
        1928;
Whereas under Reverend Robinson's leadership, the Church's first Sunday school 
        (John J. Johnson, Superintendent) and Usher Board (President, Sister 
        Malcolm ``Pie'' Brooks, 1921) originated;
Whereas the Church's next Pastor, from approximately 1930 to 1951, was Reverend 
        Robert L. Harris;
Whereas under the leadership of Reverend Harris, many members were baptized in 
        Floyd Hicks' farm pond;
Whereas in 1951, Reverend Ellis W. Yancey was elected Pastor;
Whereas due to a deteriorating structure, Reverend Yancey designed and began the 
        construction of a new church and groundbreaking services took place in 
        1954;
Whereas Benny Carter, of Spotsylvania, was the builder;
Whereas in 1957, Reverend Charles H. Sanford was elected Pastor and under his 
        leadership the Church was completed;
Whereas, on May 5, 1962, Floyd E. Hicks and Mabel E. Hicks, then owners of the 
        land, conveyed to Wyman H. Johnson and MacNeire Johnson, as Trustees, 
        the land on which Mt. Zion currently stands;
Whereas Reverend Winston L. Brock (1981-1995), an inspirational and motivational 
        leader, greatly improved and enhanced the building and grounds of Mt. 
        Zion;
Whereas Reverend Ernest Woodson was Pastor from 1996 to 1997;
Whereas, on November 13, 1996, the interior of the Church suffered fire damage;
Whereas Deacons Howard Roberts, MacNeire Johnson, George Price, and Clarence 
        Washington, and Sisters Betty Roberts and Joan Washington were 
        instrumental in overseeing the restoration;
Whereas Reverend Dr. Robert C. Stone (2000-2006) was a man who walked among his 
        people;
Whereas two Associate Ministers served under Reverend Stone--Reverend Eddie 
        Naylor and Reverend Alan Watkins; and
Whereas the current Pastor, Reverend Sanford Reaves, Jr., M. Dv. (2007-Present) 
        continues to answer God's call--grow His Church, both physically and 
        spiritually, and preach the gospel to His people: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) congratulates Mt. Zion Baptist Church upon the occasion 
        of its 160th anniversary; and
            (2) recognizes the rich history of Mt. Zion Baptist Church 
        and its impact on Locust Grove, Virginia, and the surrounding 
        community.
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