2026 SESSION
ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 5
Commending First Baptist Church of Midlothian.
Agreed to by the Senate, January 22, 2026
WHEREAS, for 180 years, First Baptist Church of Midlothian has played a central role in community life by providing spiritual leadership, opportunities for joyful worship, and generous outreach programs to the residents of Chesterfield County; and
WHEREAS, First Baptist Church of Midlothian traces its roots to February 1846, when Jordan Martin, Matthew Winfree, James McIntyre, Zachariah McGruder, Samuel Winfree, and Nelson Turnley met to organize a new church for the Black community in the area around the Grove Shaft Mine; and
WHEREAS, one week later, the original organizers held a second meeting with Thomas Jewett, Robert Smith, Joseph Monroe, and Matthew Ford, then adjourned until the first Sunday in March, when they officially established the congregation as First African Baptist Church of Coalfield; and
WHEREAS, First African Baptist Church of Coalfield served the community until 1877 when it was destroyed by fire, and after a new building was constructed, the church adopted its current name, First Baptist Church of Midlothian; and
WHEREAS, First Baptist Church of Midlothian established its first choir under the direction of Cornelius H. Munford in 1919; the choir greatly enhanced regular worship services and developed a popular Biblical play, which was performed at several other local churches by request; and
WHEREAS, as First Baptist Church of Midlothian grew in faith and number, the church expanded its worship services from two Sundays per month to four Sundays per month in 1956 and now holds services every Sunday; and