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A RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING
<br /> MOUNT BRIGHT MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH ON ITS 150TH ANNIVERSARY
<br /> WHEREAS,prior to the emancipation of African-American slaves,a group of"coloured"men and women held
<br /> membership and worshipped at the former Hillsborough Baptist Church,now the First Baptist Church of
<br /> Hillsborough;and
<br /> WHEREAS,London,a slave of S.Moon,was the first African America accepted for membership at
<br /> Hillsborough Baptist Church;and
<br /> WHEREAS,in 1866,the African-American congregation voluntarily withdrew their fellowship to form a
<br /> church of their own; and
<br /> WHEREAS,minutes from the First Baptist Church records read:"The coloured members of the church with
<br /> the exception of Bro.Lewis Jenkins having voluntarily withdrawn their fellowship from us for the purpose of
<br /> organizing a church of their own,therefore,we recommend that their names be stricken from the roll and
<br /> that we recognize them as a separate and distinct church";and
<br /> WHEREAS,twenty[20] members subsequently formed a congregation under the leadership of Reverend
<br /> Alfred E.Bright,hence the name,Mount Bright Baptist Church,and they met in the homes of one another;and
<br /> WHEREAS,Susannah W.Graham,widow of William Graham,former governor of North Carolina,donated land
<br /> to build the first church structure,and which was erected in 1906; and
<br /> WHEREAS,the original members of Mt.Bright Baptist Church included:Mars Whitted,Ed Bolden,George
<br /> Smith,Jim Thompson,George Craig,Mark Long,Marsh Dixon,London Robinson,Martin Whitted,Anderson
<br /> Henderson,Alston Whitted,Daniel Latta,Sr.,Annie Alston,Julia Craig,Peggie Clemons,Beanie Moore,Millie
<br /> Robinson,Peggie Faribault,Jane Whitted and Fannie M.Whitted;and
<br /> WHEREAS,when the first building had to be demolished,church members constructed and dedicated a new
<br /> structure in 1979,at 211 West Union Street in Hillsborough,North Carolina;and
<br /> WHEREAS,through the years,the Mt. Bright Missionary Baptist Church congregation has contributed to the
<br /> social well-being of Orange County,and continues to hold special events to provide needed resources to
<br /> individuals and families throughout the Orange County community;
<br /> NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,that the Orange County Board of County Commissioners commends the
<br /> services and achievements of the members,past and present,of the Mount Bright Missionary Baptist Church
<br /> over the past 150 years;and
<br /> BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,that the Orange County Board of County Commissioners congratulates the
<br /> members of Mount Bright Missionary Baptist Church on their Sesquicentennial Anniversary,with the
<br /> Reverend Melvin Gattis as Associate Minister,and the Reverend Sharon Shanklin Freeland as Associate
<br /> Minister and Church Administrator;and
<br /> BE IT MOREOVER RESOLVED,that Mount Bright Missionary Baptist Church is hereby recognized by the
<br /> Orange County Board of County Commissioners as a pillar in the community,that has served,and may it
<br /> continue to serve,as a beacon of hope,progress,revival and freedom for all.
<br /> This the 15th Day of November 2016. Jam,,, p
<br /> Earl McKee,Chair
<br /> Orange County Board of Commissioners
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