HR239 • 2026

Commending Hunterdale Christian Church.

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor: Wachsmann
Last action: 2026-04-20
Official status: Passed
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The candidate explanation included details about specific events and contributions that are not mentioned in the official bill summary or digest, such as the exact nature of the church's outreach during wars and economic downturns. These have been omitted to adhere strictly to the source material.

Commending Hunterdale Christian Church

This bill commends Hunterdale Christian Church on its 225th anniversary.

What This Bill Does

Says that Hunterdale Christian Church is being commended for its long history and contributions to the community in southeastern Virginia.
Notes that the church celebrated its 225th anniversary in 2025.
Highlights how the church has been a part of the community through difficult times like wars, economic downturns, and pandemics.
Says that the House of Delegates will give a copy of this commendation to Reverend Dean Russell Jester Jr., who is the pastor.

Who It Names or Affects

Hunterdale Christian Church
The House of Delegates

Terms To Know

Commendation: A formal expression of praise or approval for someone's actions or achievements.
House of Delegates: The lower house of the Virginia General Assembly, which is part of the state government that makes laws.

Limits and Unknowns

This bill does not change any rules or give money to anyone.
It only expresses commendation for Hunterdale Christian Church and its history.

Bill History

2026-04-20 House
Bill text as passed House (HR239ER)
2026-03-09 House
Engrossed by House
2026-03-09 House
Agreed to by House by voice vote
2026-03-03 House
Presented and laid on Speaker's table 26108894D

Official Summary Text

Commending Hunterdale Christian Church.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Commending Hunterdale Christian Church.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 9, 2026
WHEREAS, Hunterdale Christian Church, a house of worship that has provided wise spiritual leadership and generous outreach to generations of community members in southeastern Virginia, celebrated its 225th anniversary in 2025; and
WHEREAS, Hunterdale Christian Church was established in 1800 and held its first services in a brush arbor across the street from the church's current location on Hunterdale Road; and
WHEREAS, Hunterdale Christian Church is the oldest continuously operating church in the City of Franklin and was the fourth-oldest church in Southampton County prior to being annexed into city limits; and
WHEREAS, over the course of its long history, Hunterdale Christian Church endured the Civil War, the Great Depression and other economic downturns, changes in population growth and the social fabric of the Commonwealth, pandemics and epidemics, and other periods of local, national, and global upheaval; and
WHEREAS, through it all, Hunterdale Christian Church upheld its commitment to providing a beacon of faith, hope, and fellowship for its congregation and strengthening the community as a whole; and
WHEREAS, Hunterdale Christian Church hosted a 225th anniversary celebration on September 14, 2025, featuring the popular local gospel quartet Streets of Gold and special guest speakers who reflected on the church's numerous milestones and achievements; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Hunterdale Christian Church hereby be commended on the occasion of its 225th 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 Dean Russell Jester, Jr., pastor of Hunterdale Christian Church, as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for the church's long history and legacy of contributions to the residents of Franklin and the surrounding region.