---
title: HR 1128. Chestnut Grove Baptist Church; occasion of its 175th anniversary; recognize
collection: bills
id: 2025-2026/hr1128
cite_as: HR 1128, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1128
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1128.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1128/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72548
date: 2026-01-28
status: passed
corpus_version: bills-2026-09-13
license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1127.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1129.md
index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md
omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 131
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1128.md?full=1
bill_number: HR 1128
session: 2025-2026 Regular Session
session_slug: 2025-2026
chamber: House
bill_type: resolution
status_date: 2026-01-28
last_action: House Read and Adopted
sponsors:
  - Segun Adeyina
  - Gabe Okoye
  - Jasmine Clark
  - Arlene Beckles
  - Akbar Ali
text_version: Introduced
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HR1128/2025
upstream_id: 2100711
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
  - ceremonial resolution
  - Grayson community
  - church anniversary
  - House of Representatives recognition
---

# HR 1128. Chestnut Grove Baptist Church; occasion of its 175th anniversary; recognize

## Text

House Resolution 1128
By: Representatives Adeyina of the 110th, Okoye of the 102nd, Clark of the 108th, Beckles of
the 96th, and Ali of the 106th
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing and commending Chestnut Grove Baptist Church on the occasion of its 175th
anniversary; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, the seeds which were sown by the loving and humble efforts of the devoted
original worshipers of Chestnut Grove Baptist Church have blossomed, establishing a rich
tradition and history; and
WHEREAS, organized in 1850, Chestnut Grove Baptist Church has grown under the divine
direction of more than 50 pastors over the years, allowing the Word of God to spread
throughout the Grayson community and beyond; and
WHEREAS, the church was founded when nine men, Rev. William Seamon Moore, John
Carroll, James G. H. Herring, Nathan Fowler, James Johnson, Jethro Norris, Isaac Petty,
George Petty, and James Young, gathered with their families beneath a brush arbor to
proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, forming a fellowship that quickly grew to nearly 50
people; and
WHEREAS, within two years of its founding, the church acquired two acres of land and
constructed a log cabin for worship, which also served as the area's only school, Trip
Academy, for many years; and
WHEREAS, in 1873, the church erected a wooden structure that served the congregation and
community until a new building was completed in 1911; now known as the LifeHouse, this
place remains a prominent fixture on the campus today; and
WHEREAS, in 2001, a new sanctuary was constructed on the north end of the campus to
accommodate the church's growing membership and evolving needs; and
WHEREAS, the church's current pastor, Dr. Chris Alexander, was called to lead the church
in 2018, and he continues to shepherd the congregation alongside his wife, Meredith, and
their children, Landry and Amelia; and
WHEREAS, the congregation of this church has compiled an unparalleled record of
constructive, compassionate, and humanitarian service that it demonstrates daily through
open minds, open hearts, and open doors; and
WHEREAS, the members of Chestnut Grove Baptist Church have a sincere desire to serve
the Lord and are wholeheartedly committed to spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ; and
WHEREAS, the story of Chestnut Grove Baptist Church is one of triumph through the grace
and sustaining power of God, and it stands as an immovable witness to the truth that God
keeps His promise; and
WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that this enduring example of God’s message
of peace and love be recognized and congratulated for its innumerable good works rendered
on behalf of persons in need.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that
the members of this body recognize the rich history of Chestnut Grove Baptist Church,
commend its 175 years of dedicated service to the Lord and community, and extend warmest
best wishes for its continued growth and success.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to
Chestnut Grove Baptist Church.

## Summaries written by Georgia Commons

The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the resolution. Quote the text, not the summary.

A Georgia House resolution formally recognizes Chestnut Grove Baptist Church in Grayson on the occasion of its 175th anniversary, commending its history of service to the community.

### Plain-language summary

This House resolution honors Chestnut Grove Baptist Church, which was founded in 1850 in the Grayson community, on its 175th anniversary. It recounts the church's history, including its founding by nine men who gathered under a brush arbor, the construction of a log cabin that also served as the area's school, later buildings erected in 1873 and 1911, and a new sanctuary built in 2001. It also notes the church's current pastor, Dr. Chris Alexander, who has led the congregation since 2018.
The resolution does not change any Georgia law. It simply states that the House of Representatives recognizes the church's history and commends its 175 years of service, and directs the Clerk of the House to provide a copy of the resolution to the church for distribution.

### What it does

- Formally recognizes and commends Chestnut Grove Baptist Church for 175 years of service to the Grayson community.
- Recounts the church's founding in 1850 and its history of buildings and pastors over the years.
- Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare a copy of the resolution for distribution to the church.
- Does not create, amend, or repeal any Georgia statute; it is a ceremonial statement rather than a change to law.

### Who it affects

The resolution directly names Chestnut Grove Baptist Church in Grayson, its congregation, and its current pastor Dr. Chris Alexander and his family. It has no legal effect on any other Georgians or institutions.

### Why it matters

The resolution carries no legal or financial consequences for Georgians. Its significance is symbolic: it places an official House statement of recognition on record honoring a specific church's long history and gives the congregation a formal copy to keep.

### Key provisions

- The resolved clause states that House members recognize the church's history and commend its 175 years of service and extend best wishes for continued growth.
- A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House to make a copy of the resolution available for distribution to the church.
- The preamble (whereas clauses) recounts the church's 1850 founding, early buildings, and current leadership but creates no legal obligations.

## Status

- Status: Passed (2026-01-28)
- Last action: House Read and Adopted (2026-01-28)
- Sponsors: Segun Adeyina, Gabe Okoye, Jasmine Clark, Arlene Beckles, Akbar Ali
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72548

> The history, votes, and amendments (131 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1128.md?full=1