Commending Ebenezer Baptist Church.

Commending Ebenezer Baptist Church.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 10, 2026
WHEREAS, since 1859, Ebenezer Baptist Church in Virginia Beach has provided its congregation with uplifting spiritual guidance, joyous occasions for worship and fellowship, and meaningful opportunities for community outreach; and
WHEREAS, the oldest African American church in Virginia Beach, Ebenezer Baptist Church held its first worship service in a log cabin in what was then Princess Anne County; and
WHEREAS, the early members of Ebenezer Baptist Church were enslaved individuals on the plantation of John Cornick who were led by the white schoolmaster and pastor, the Reverend Joseph J. Hall; and
WHEREAS, in 1868, the Reverend Marshall Land became the first Black minister in the history of Ebenezer Baptist Church, and the congregation soon outgrew its log cabin, necessitating the construction of a new frame church; and
WHEREAS, as its numbers continued to swell, Ebenezer Baptist Church built and relocated to a larger, third church building, the cornerstone of which was laid on July 2, 1894; and
WHEREAS, after eight decades in its third church building, Ebenezer Baptist Church set out to build its fourth and present church building to accommodate the needs of its congregation; the dedication service for this building was held on November 13, 1975, and it has been used by the church ever since; and
WHEREAS, Ebenezer Baptist Church helps its members grow in their faith with a variety of ministries, groups, and programs and addresses the needs of the community through a number of charitable outreach endeavors; and
WHEREAS, Ebenezer Baptist Church has shown an extraordinary commitment to supporting educational excellence by awarding multiple scholarships to local graduating seniors, including its Reverend C.K. Jones, Mrs. Mollie Foreman, and Mrs. Janie Griffin scholarships; and
WHEREAS, by demonstrating a continued investment in the success and future of area youth and serving as a beacon of light in the Virginia Beach community for generations, Ebenezer Baptist Church has had a positive and transformative impact on countless lives; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Ebenezer Baptist Church hereby be commended for its legacy of service in support of the young people, families, and community of Virginia Beach; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Ebenezer Baptist Church as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for the church's contributions to Virginia Beach and the Commonwealth.