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A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
19-303
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
September 19, 2012
To recognize and honor the Gethsemane Baptist Church on the occasion of its 100th anniversary.
WHEREAS, the Gethsemane Baptist Church was organized with 12 charter members on August 22, 1912, under the leadership of James Thomas Harvey, who at that time was a Deacon of Washington’s Mounty Airy Baptist Church;
WHEREAS, Reverend Harvey was ordained on April 2, 1913, by Mount Airy Baptist Church so that he could fully perform his duties as pastor and remained as pastor to Gethsemane Baptist Church until his home going in 1941;
WHEREAS, for approximately 10 years, the Gethsemane Baptist Church congregation worshipped in a small frame house on New Hampshire Avenue near Washington Circle;
WHEREAS, the Gethsemane Baptist Church then moved to 21st Street, between L and M Streets, N.W., and, in 1932, moved to a spacious new home at 22nd and Virginia Avenue, N.W.;
WHEREAS, successors to Reverend Harvey as pastors to Gethsemane Baptist Church included Reverend Carl Q. Hickerson (1943-1951), Reverend George R. Yancey (1953-1980), Reverend Leonard Charles Bennett (1981-1996), Reverend Dr. Kenneth E. Lee (1998-2000), and Reverend Khalfani Drummer (2003-present);
WHEREAS, the Gethsemane Baptist Church remained at 22nd and Virginia Avenue, N.W. until 1959, then moved to its Child Care Center at 3830 Georgia Avenue, N.W., and in May 1961 purchased the Lewis Memorial United Methodist Church at 4th and Hamilton Streets, N.W., where the congregation continues to worship today;
WHEREAS, over the past 100 years, the Gethsemane Baptist Church has grown in numbers, spirit, and fellowship, and its congregation is a dedicated and welcoming community; and
WHEREAS, the Gethsemane Baptist Church, under the stewardship of its pastor, Reverend Khalfani Drummer, represents the finest in our community’s religious spirit as a Place of Worship, a Place of Learning, and a Place of Service.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this resolution may be cited as the “Gethsemane Baptist Church Recognition Resolution of 2012”.
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes and honors the Gethsemane Baptist Church, its members, and its pastor, Reverend Khalfani Drummer, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of its founding, and the Council extends its best wishes for the next 100 years of service by Gethsemane Baptist Church to our city and its residents.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in the District of Columbia Register.
