ENROLLED ORIGINAL
A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
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IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
October 5, 2021
To recognize and honor the Vermont Avenue Baptist Church for its distinguished service to the
people of the District of Columbia, on the occasion of its 155th anniversary.
WHEREAS, in 1866, 7 freedmen gathered in the home of John and Amy Slaughter for the
purpose of forming a church;
WHEREAS, in 1866, after receiving the necessary certification from the Nineteenth Street
Baptist Church, these 7 former slaves formed the Fifth Baptist Church at 1630 Vermont Avenue,
NW in the Logan Circle Neighborhood;
WHEREAS, Reverend John Henry Brooks, a former Union Army wagon driver, was
named the Churchs first Pastor who led the group in acquiring the site and constructing the small
wooden structure they named the Fifth Baptist Church;
WHEREAS, under his Pastorate, the main sanctuary of the new brick Church was built in
1872 and a number of benevolent organizations were established, including the Mt. Bethel
Association which is still in operation today;
WHEREAS, under Rev. Brooks successor, Rev. George Wellington Lee, the growing
congregation added the current faade and steeple, and adopted the Vermont Avenue Baptist
Church name in 1890;
WHEREAS, since its founding, the Church has been blessed with seven pastors; Reverend
John Henry Brooks [1866 1884], Reverend George Wellington Lee [1885 1910], Reverend
James Edward Willis [1911 1928], Reverend Chasteen Theophilus Murray [1929 1969],
Reverend John Rayford Wheeler [1969 2007], Reverend Cornelius Rayford Wheeler [2007
2016], Reverend Dr. John J. Cox [2018- Today], and one interim Pastor Reverend Dr. Isaac
Alexander Fox [2016 2018];
WHEREAS, for more than a century, the Vermont Avenue Baptist Church has been a
meeting place for leaders to provide services to uplift the African American community socially,
economically, and spiritually;
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 ENROLLED ORIGINAL
WHEREAS, in the 20th century, the Church was very active in mission work in South
Africa and the Vermont Avenue Baptist Church of Zululand was dedicated outside of Durban,
South Africa, in 1979;
WHEREAS, today, Pastor Rev. Dr. John J. Cox, his wife Lakisha Cox, and the church
family invite you to join in fellowship each Sunday and throughout the week for praise, worship,
study, and service.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
resolution may be cited as the Vermont Avenue Baptist Church 155th Anniversary Recognition
Resolution of 2021.
Sec. 2. The Council recognizes Vermont Avenue Baptist Church for its exceptional
accomplishments and commitment to local and international humanity.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
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