IV 
115TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 1112 
Congratulating Mt. Zion Baptist Church upon the occasion of its 160th 
anniversary. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
OCTOBER 2, 2018 
Mr. BRAT submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform 
RESOLUTION 
Congratulating Mt. Zion Baptist Church upon the occasion 
of its 160th anniversary. 
Whereas before the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, the 
citizens of Gordon District in Orange County, Virginia, 
gathered to praise God through prayer, song, and testi-
mony; 
Whereas initially the residents formed a Prayer Band in the 
home of Maria and Peter Armstead, the first known spir-
itual leader, in an area referred to as Peter Bottom, off 
Indiantown Road, in Locust Grove, Virginia; 
Whereas the Mt. Zion Baptist Church’s early ancestors were 
many, and consisted of the Armstead, Broadus, Brooks, 
Carter, Cottoms, Henderson, Johnson, Lewis, Minor, and 
Vass families, with birth dates as early as 1810 (Census 
1880); 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:16 Oct 02, 2018
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6300
E:\BILLS\HR1112.IH
HR1112
khammond on DSK30JT082PROD with BILLS
•HRES 1112 IH 
Whereas today the Prayer Band descendants are members 
and loyal supporters of the Church; 
Whereas the Prayer Band’s next place of worship was a 
brush arbor built on a corner lot subsequently purchased 
by Nathan Henderson and wife, Betsy; 
Whereas Reverend John C. Willis, Jr. (b.1824), a White min-
ister, was the principal speaker; 
Whereas in those days, many members walked to worship 
services, and others traveled by horseback and carriages, 
from neighboring communities referred to as Lewistown, 
Peter Bottom, Fox Neck, and Flat Run; 
Whereas as the congregation grew in numbers and spiritu-
ality, Prayer Band members decided to divide the travel 
distance and move from Indiantown Road, Lewistown, to 
property owned by Abe Roach on Governor Almond 
Road, where the congregation erected a log cabin; 
Whereas Reverend Peter Armstead continued as the Prayer 
Band’s leader until his death, prior to the 1860’s; 
Whereas, in 1858, needing a larger sanctuary, and unable to 
add to the log cabin, the Prayer Band moved to property 
on land owned by Henry Willis (a few miles from Mt. 
Zion’s present location); 
Whereas during this period, Reverend Robert Woodson (b. 
1815), a traveling minister, served the congregation; 
Whereas Reverend Wanzer Tibbs (b.1842), a traveling min-
ister, was the Prayer Band’s next spiritual leader; 
Whereas Reverend Tibbs named the sanctuary Zion Baptist 
Church, later referred to as Mt. Zion Baptist Church 
(Colored), which was formally changed to Mt. Zion Bap-
tist Church on November 5, 2000; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:33 Oct 02, 2018
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6300
E:\BILLS\HR1112.IH
HR1112
khammond on DSK30JT082PROD with BILLS
•HRES 1112 IH 
Whereas from 1858 to 1995, the congregants continued their 
service to the Lord—believing, trusting, praising, and 
growing in their spiritual faith; 
Whereas Reverend James A. Robinson (b.1863) of Spotsyl-
vania was Mt. Zion’s first official Pastor and served the 
congregation for 33 years, from 1895 to 1928; 
Whereas under Reverend Robinson’s leadership, the Church’s 
first Sunday school (John J. Johnson, Superintendent) 
and Usher Board (President, Sister Malcolm ‘‘Pie’’ 
Brooks, 1921) originated; 
Whereas the Church’s next Pastor, from approximately 1930 
to 1951, was Reverend Robert L. Harris; 
Whereas under the leadership of Reverend Harris, many 
members were baptized in Floyd Hicks’ farm pond; 
Whereas in 1951, Reverend Ellis W. Yancey was elected Pas-
tor; 
Whereas due to a deteriorating structure, Reverend Yancey 
designed and began the construction of a new church and 
groundbreaking services took place in 1954; 
Whereas Benny Carter, of Spotsylvania, was the builder; 
Whereas in 1957, Reverend Charles H. Sanford was elected 
Pastor and under his leadership the Church was com-
pleted; 
Whereas, on May 5, 1962, Floyd E. Hicks and Mabel E. 
Hicks, then owners of the land, conveyed to Wyman H. 
Johnson and MacNeire Johnson, as Trustees, the land on 
which Mt. Zion currently stands; 
Whereas Reverend Winston L. Brock (1981–1995), an inspi-
rational and motivational leader, greatly improved and 
enhanced the building and grounds of Mt. Zion; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:16 Oct 02, 2018
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6300
E:\BILLS\HR1112.IH
HR1112
khammond on DSK30JT082PROD with BILLS
•HRES 1112 IH 
Whereas Reverend Ernest Woodson was Pastor from 1996 to 
1997; 
Whereas, on November 13, 1996, the interior of the Church 
suffered fire damage; 
Whereas Deacons Howard Roberts, MacNeire Johnson, 
George Price, and Clarence Washington, and Sisters 
Betty Roberts and Joan Washington were instrumental 
in overseeing the restoration; 
Whereas Reverend Dr. Robert C. Stone (2000–2006) was a 
man who walked among his people; 
Whereas two Associate Ministers served under Reverend 
Stone—Reverend Eddie Naylor and Reverend Alan Wat-
kins; and 
Whereas the current Pastor, Reverend Sanford Reaves, Jr., 
M. Dv. (2007–Present) continues to answer God’s call— 
grow His Church, both physically and spiritually, and 
preach the gospel to His people: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) congratulates Mt. Zion Baptist Church 
upon the occasion of its 160th anniversary; and 
(2) recognizes the rich history of Mt. Zion Bap-
tist Church and its impact on Locust Grove, Vir-
ginia, and the surrounding community. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:16 Oct 02, 2018
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\HR1112.IH
HR1112
khammond on DSK30JT082PROD with BILLS