Commending Cranford United Methodist Church.

Commending Cranford United Methodist Church.
Agreed to by the Senate, January 29, 2026
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 2, 2026
WHEREAS, for 125 years, Cranford United Methodist Church has offered wise spiritual leadership, provided opportunities for joyful worship, and fostered a strong sense of community in and around Lorton; and
WHEREAS, the historic site of Cranford United Methodist Church shares its rich heritage with that of the founding fathers of our nation; and
WHEREAS, Occoquan Church, which later became known as Pohick Church, was established before 1724 as an Episcopalian church near the site of present-day Cranford United Methodist Church and counted among its worshippers George Washington and George Mason; and
WHEREAS, after Pohick Church relocated to what is now Pohick Episcopal Church on Route 1, Methodists in the area, who were few in number, began worshipping on alternate Sundays at the original Pohick Church site until the Reverend John Lewis, a famed Methodist circuit rider, began visiting the area and holding services in an old log schoolhouse on Colchester Road; and
WHEREAS, in 1857, James and John Cranford began building a new sanctuary on the site of the old Pohick Church; the church was ultimately named Lewis Chapel in honor of Reverend Lewis and served the growing Methodist community until the turn of the century; and
WHEREAS, as the Methodist population began to outgrow Lewis Chapel, the congregation decided to construct a new building, which was dedicated on June 9, 1901, as Cranford Memorial Church, named after local resident James Cranford; the former Lewis Chapel was moved close to the new church and rehabilitated in 1953; and
WHEREAS, traces of the past can be found nearby—the cemetery holds the remains of soldiers of the Revolutionary War and Civil War, while Lewis Chapel, used as a hospital during the Civil War, contains bullet holes from the guns of Union soldiers—and Lewis Hall continues to be used for church activities; and
WHEREAS, Cranford United Methodist Church remained on the Occoquan Circuit until 1952, and in 1956 Pastor Walter Hook became the church's first full-time pastor; and
WHEREAS, today, Cranford United Methodist Church is composed of several historic structures that reflect the long history of religious worship in the area; the church has benefited from the inspirational leadership of numerous pastors over the years and inspired countless local residents to strengthen their faith and become more active in community life; and
WHEREAS, in 2004, Cranford United Methodist Church established the Lorton Cranford Korean Methodist Church ministry, which opened the church to the growing Korean American community in the region; and
WHEREAS, despite its close proximity to Route 1, Cranford United Methodist Church maintains a rural, family-oriented character and has served as a beacon of faith, hope, and fellowship for generations of Lorton residents; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Cranford United Methodist Church on the occasion of its 125th anniversary; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Cranford United Methodist Church as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for its storied history and incredible legacy of contributions to the residents of Fairfax County.