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TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR MT. CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH FOR ITS ONGOING MINISTRY IN THE COLUMBIA AND CHILDS COMMUNITIES AND TO CONGRATULATE THE PASTOR AND CONGREGATION AS THEY CELEBRATE THEIR ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-FIRST ANNIVERSARY.
Whereas, within the city limits of Columbia in 1869, Mt. Calvary Baptist Church was founded by Reverend Darby, and the church had several pastors at that location, including Reverend Dunbar and Reverend John Daniels; and
Whereas, years after it came into existence, the church was moved just outside the city limits to an area known as Childs and was located beside the railroad tracks; and
Whereas, during the years that Mt. Calvary remained at that location, the church grew under the leadership of a number of pastors: Reverends E. P. Cheeks; Thompson; John Myers; T. M. Boykins; Hiller; Hill Norris, Sr.; Cid Simons; Sister Sarah Smith; and A. L. Peterson; and
Whereas, the church was doubly blessed to have Reverend Lewis S. Mickens as an assistant pastor under various leaders for many years. During the tenure of Reverend Peterson who pastored the church until his death, Mt. Calvary returned to Columbia from the Childs area to its present location at 1220 Tolliver Street; and
Whereas, Reverend Dr. F. M. Young became pastor upon the death of Reverend Peterson, and the church experienced growth until he retired in 1976. Under his successful leadership, Mt. Calvary was remodeled in 1965 and a new cornerstone was added in 1969; and
Whereas, Reverend Dr. W. D. Scott served as the interim pastor until he was selected as the new pastor in 1977, and under his strong leadership of almost twenty years, additional improvements were made, including the addition of a pastor's study, an office, and a multifunctional area with a kitchen; and
Whereas, Reverend Samuel N. Rice was selected as his replacement in 1997, and he remained for about two years, at which time Reverend George Dorrah served as Mt. Calvary's interim pastor until Reverend Eric Davis was selected as pastor in 2000; and
Whereas, due to deterioration of the sanctuary, the congregation moved from Tolliver Street to a new location on Shop Road. Several years later during the tenure of Reverend Davis, the majority of the congregation voted to change the name of the church to Word of God Church and Ministries; and
Whereas, some of the members of Mt. Calvary who were members before the name was changed left Word of God Church and Ministries and returned to the sanctuary located at 1220 Tolliver Street to carry on the church as Mt. Calvary Baptist; and
Whereas, for the past ten years, Reverend Charles E. Epps, Sr., has served as the church's interim pastor without remuneration or compensation, and the congregation continues to enjoy the blessings of more than a century and a half of worship. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize and honor Mt. Calvary Baptist Church for its ongoing ministry in the Columbia and Childs communities and congratulate the pastor and congregation as they celebrate their one hundred fifty-first anniversary.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Reverend Charles E. Epps, Sr.
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