WHEREAS, South Quay Baptist Church in Suffolk has provided spiritual leadership, valuable community outreach, and joyful worship in the Baptist tradition for more than 240 years; and

WHEREAS, tracing its roots to 1775, South Quay Baptist Church was founded by David Barrow, who fought for American independence during the Revolutionary War, and the original church was one of the only buildings in South Quay Village left standing after the war; and

WHEREAS, in the late 1700s, David Barrow preached a message of tolerance and dignity and spoke out against slavery; and

WHEREAS, South Quay Baptist Church moved to its current location in 1835 and constructed a new building in 1889 after the church was destroyed by a fire; and

WHEREAS, during the American Civil War, South Quay Baptist Church served as the courthouse for Nansemond County, and troops under Confederate General George E. Pickett are said to have used the church grounds as a campsite; and

WHEREAS, over the years, South Quay Baptist Church expanded greatly in membership and completed a cemetery, parsonage, fellowship hall, and Sunday school classrooms to better serve the growing community; the church also established a Homecoming tradition in 1912; and

WHEREAS, the members of South Quay Baptist Church joyfully carry out the church's mission to proclaim the word of the Lord and encourage deep, personal relationships with Jesus Christ, while loving, understanding, and accepting others; and

WHEREAS, South Quay Baptist Church commemorated its anniversary with a special service on March 4, 2015, celebrating the church's history and heritage along with the annual Homecoming; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That South Quay Baptist Church hereby be commended for its service to its congregation and the community on the occasion of its 240th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to John Watson, pastor of South Quay Baptist Church, as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for the church's storied history and contributions to the region.