6248175 ACR 21-260, 150th Anniversary of Vermont Avenue Baptist Church Recognition Resolution of 2016
-
A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
21-260
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
September 20, 2016
To commemorate Vermont Avenue Baptist Church, located at 1630 Vermont Avenue, N.W., on its 150th anniversary.
WHEREAS, in 1866, with certification of the Nineteenth Baptist Church, 7 former slaves formed the Fifth Baptist Church;
WHEREAS, Reverend John Henry Brooks, a former Union army wagon drive, became their pastor;
WHEREAS, over the past 150 years, numerous changes have been made, including changing the name to Vermont Avenue Baptist Church;
WHEREAS, there have been but only a few pastor rotations in the last 150 years;
WHEREAS, after Reverend John Henry Brooks presided from 1866 to 1864, Reverend George W. Lee presided from 1885 to 1910, Reverend James E. Willis from 1911 to 1928, Reverend Chasteen T. Murray from 1929 to 1969, Reverend John R. Wheeler from 1969 to 2007, and Reverend Cornelius R. Wheeler from 2007 to 2016, and the congregation is currently led by interim Reverend Isaac A. Fox;
WHEREAS, the Vermont Avenue Baptist Church impact is global, as it is a dedicated partner to the Lott Carey Foreign Missionary, a Christian institution focused on providing high quality education in Liberia;
WHEREAS, Vermont Avenue Baptist Church has created strong ties to the local community, providing, in coordination with the Central Union Mission, spiritual programming and emergency shelter to the homeless;
WHEREAS, the church runs “Suits for Success,” a program designed to support victims of domestic violence transition into the work place; and
WHEREAS, the church organizes numerous outreach programs geared toward mentoring the community’s youth, headed by Reverend Wayne Quick and Deaconess Rose B. Freeman.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this resolution may be cited as the “150th Anniversary of Vermont Avenue Baptist Church Recognition Resolution of 2016”.
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes and congratulates Vermont Avenue Baptist Church, located at 1630 Vermont Avenue, N.W., on its 150th anniversary.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in the District of Columbia Register.
