A house RESOLUTION

 

TO RECOGNIZE AND CONGRATULATE HOPEWELL BAPTIST CHURCH OF CHESTERFIELD ON THE OCCASION OF ITS HISTORIC ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY AND TO COMMEND THE CHURCH FOR NEARLY TWO CENTURIES OF SERVICE TO GOD AND THE COMMUNITY.

 

Whereas, having been organized about 1840, Hopewell Baptist Church in Chesterfield is celebrating its historic one hundred eighty-fifth anniversary in 2025; and

 

Whereas, the organization of the church was believed to have taken place in 1839 or earlier, but most minutes from the Moriah and Chesterfield Baptist associations record the official date of Hopewell's organization as 1840. The minutes of the Moriah and Chesterfield Baptist associations were used to locate and verify information gleaned from the memories of church and community members to determine historic facts of the early years of the church. All available yearly church letters submitted to the South Carolina Baptist Convention list 1840 as the date of establishment, and this has been the date used for anniversary celebrations through the years. The Chesterfield Baptist Association was organized in 1892, and Hopewell left the Moriah Association to become a charter member of the Chesterfield Association; and

 

Whereas, the fledgling church began its service to the Chesterfield area under the leadership of its first pastor, the Reverend W.T. Jones, who served from 1839 to 1853. The original plot of land on which the first church building was erected was given to the church by Hardy Sellers in a deed dated November 1, 1841. Fortunately, the deed was not officially recorded in Chesterfield County Courthouse records until March 1, 1888; thus, this valuable document was saved from being destroyed by fire at the time of General Sherman's visit to the area in 1865; and

 

Whereas, currently, Pastor Richard Lloyd Yow Sr., serves as the Lord's undershepherd of the flock at Hopewell Baptist; and

 

Whereas, the church met in a brush arbor for an unknown period of time before the first church building was erected. The portion of the present church that now houses the adult Sunday school classes and nursery was the fourth building erected; it was constructed about 1904 or 1905. The fellowship hall was added in 1979 and renovated in 2017. The current sanctuary was completed and dedicated in January 1995, and the old sanctuary was converted to Sunday school classrooms, a library, and a nursery; and

 

Whereas, through all the challenges of the years, Hopewell Baptist has continued to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ and serve the Lord. Standing on the faith and strength of its early pastors and members, Hopewell Baptist Church's present congregation "press[es] toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14, KJV); and

 

Whereas, Hopewell Baptist Church has been a beacon of light and a community worship center in the Chesterfield area for almost two hundred years, and, God willing, will continue its godly heritage for many more years of worship and service. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and congratulate Hopewell Baptist Church of Chesterfield on the occasion of its historic one hundred eighty-fifth anniversary and commend the church for nearly two centuries of service to God and the community.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Hopewell Baptist Church.

----XX----