SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 1506
By Roberts
A RESOLUTION to recognize Pleasant Hill Baptist Church on the occasion of its 175th anniversary.
WHEREAS, the churches of our nation have been an integral part of our history as a people and have had an unparalleled impact in forming and maintaining a stable and just society; and WHEREAS, it is appropriate that we should recognize those venerable religious institutions and their congregations who, through their unflagging capacity for love, dedication of
spirit, and faith in God, strive to enrich the lives of people in their communities; and WHEREAS, one such dynamic community of faith is that of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Robertson County, whose members will celebrate the church's 175th anniversary this year;
and WHEREAS, Pleasant Hill Baptist Church was established on August 19, 1849, with the church also serving as the schoolhouse for the community; the first building was built on 1.5
acres donated by Thomas West and Pleasant Barry; and WHEREAS, with Brother O.H. Morrow serving as the first pastor, the church building was constructed in 1850 with services held once a month; in 1856, Sunday School services were also held once a month; and WHEREAS, during the Civil War, enslaved persons were allowed to attend Pleasant Hill Baptist Church with their owners; the church voted in 1867 to give the former enslaved persons letters that allowed them to form their own congregation. Pleasant Hill built a Black church in
the community, Friendship Baptist Church, in Cross Plains that is still in operation; and WHEREAS, in 1919, Pleasant Hill Baptist Church started holding church services twice
a month, and in 1945, church services were held weekly; and SJR1506
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WHEREAS, in 1984, Pleasant Hill Baptist Church replaced all of its exterior windows with beautiful stained glass; and WHEREAS, Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, whose slogan is "A Country Church Where Love Abides," continues to grow its congregation and welcomes between sixty and seventy worshipers each Sunday; and WHEREAS, as the church celebrates 175 years of service, it continues to be a light in
the community, and the devout members of the congregation have faithfully striven to carry out God's work in the world; and WHEREAS, Pleasant Hill Baptist Church is truly one of the great religious institutions and catalysts for positive spiritual change in our State and nation, and the members of this exceptional congregation should be appropriately honored for their exemplary service to their fellow Christians and the good people of Tennessee; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRTEENTH
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING, that we join in the celebration of the 175 th anniversary of
Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, thank the good people of this congregation and their ministers for their notable service to their Lord and the State of Tennessee, and wish them much continued success and happiness.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that an appropriate copy of this resolution be prepared for presentation with this final clause omitted from such copy and upon proper request made to
the appropriate clerk, the language appearing immediately following the State seal appear without House or Senate designation.
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