Commending Hunterdale Baptist Church.

Commending Hunterdale Baptist Church.
Agreed to by the Senate, February 26, 2026
WHEREAS, Hunterdale Baptist Church, an independent, fundamental Baptist Church in Franklin, has provided spiritual leadership, opportunities for joyful worship, and generous outreach to people in need for more than 50 years; and
WHEREAS, Hunterdale Baptist Church was established on July 6, 1975, by the Reverend Howard Vinson, Jr., who was inspired to create a new church for the Baptist community in his home town of Franklin; and
WHEREAS, in its early days, Hunterdale Baptist Church met in a remodeled bowling alley above the Hunterdale Home Supply hardware store; Reverend Vinson was supported by his wife, Sandra, and the couple began to cultivate the church's reputation for heartwarming traditional music from the beginning; and
WHEREAS, Hunterdale Baptist Church quickly grew from its 23 charter members into a thriving congregation, necessitating a new sanctuary after only two years; the church broke ground for its current Sedley Road location in 1977, and held a dedication service in October of that year; and
WHEREAS, in 1981, Hunterdale Baptist Church built an addition to house the former Hunterdale Christian School, which is now used for Sunday school classes, offices, a guest area, and a fellowship hall; the church also added a picnic pavilion in 2009 to accommodate outdoor gatherings; and
WHEREAS, in addition to serving as a beacon of faith, hope, and fellowship for the residents of Franklin, Hunterdale Baptist Church has touched the lives of people in many other communities through its generous outreach programs and mission work; the church currently supports more than two dozen missionaries in countries around the world; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Vinson served as full-time pastor of Hunterdale Baptist Church for 47 years and continues to steward the congregation as needed; he oversaw the 50th anniversary celebration on July 6, 2025, which featured guest speakers and testimonials from current and former congregants whose lives were changed for the better through their time with the church; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That Hunterdale Baptist Church hereby be commended on the occasion of its 50th anniversary; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Hunterdale Baptist Church as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's admiration for its decades of service to its congregation and legacy of contributions to the Franklin community.