Commending the Reverend Dr. Kirkland R. Walton.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Lashrecse Aird and 2 co-sponsors

Virginia General Assembly commends Rev. Dr. Kirkland R. Walton for 40 years of pastoral leadership at St. Peter Baptist Church, Glen Allen; ceremonial, non-legislative recognition.

Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ279ER)

Purpose and Intent

SJ279ER is a ceremonial Senate Joint Resolution recognizing and commending the Reverend Dr. Kirkland R. Walton on the occasion of his 40th anniversary as the pastor of St. Peter Baptist Church in Glen Allen, Virginia.

The measure expresses the General Assembly’s respect and high regard for Walton’s legacy of service to his church, community, and faith leadership in Virginia and beyond.

Key Provisions

The resolution states, in affirmative terms, that the General Assembly commends Walton on 40 years of pastoral leadership at St. Peter Baptist Church.

It directs the Clerk of the Senate to prepare a copy of the resolution for presentation to Walton.

The measure was adopted by both chambers (Senate and House) and enrolled as SJ279ER, signaling formal ceremonial recognition, not a change in law or state policy.

Background on the Honoree

Education and early career:

Graduated Maggie L. Walker High School (Richmond) in 1969.
B.S. in Geology from Virginia State University (1973); became the first African American petroleum geologist with Gulf Oil and the first African American groundwater geologist with Virginia’s State Water Control Board.
M.Div. with honors from the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University (1979).
Doctor of Ministry degree from the same institution (1993), one of the first seven graduates.

Ordination and pastoral leadership:

Licensed to Gospel Ministry (1977); ordained (1980) by First Baptist Church of South Richmond.
Became the first full-time pastor of St. Peter Baptist Church in 1985.

Contributions and leadership:

Guided expansion projects at St. Peter Baptist Church, including new educational/administrative spaces, a child development center, and a new sanctuary.
Mentored aspiring faith leaders as a Virginia Union University theology faculty member; active as a scholar, elder, and workshop facilitator.
Leadership roles in local and denominational groups (e.g., Henrico Minister’s Fellowship, Laurel Glen Allen Ministerial Alliance; Baptist General Convention of Virginia; Congress of Christian Education).
National engagement with the Congress of Christian Education of the National Baptist Convention and as a featured preacher for American Baptist Churches USA.

Who is Affected

While ceremonial, the resolution acknowledges and honors Dr. Walton’s influence on:

St. Peter Baptist Church community and parishioners in Glen Allen, VA.
Virginia faith communities and denominational organizations with which Walton has been involved.
Broader Virginia religious and academic communities through his teaching and leadership.

Procedural History and Timeline

Introduced: January 15, 2025 (SJ279).

Engrossed in Senate: January 16, 2025; agreed to by Senate (voice vote).

Enrolled and transmitted to the House: January 16–17, 2025.

House of Delegates: Agreed to January 17, 2025.

Enrolled as SJ279ER: January 2025.

Patrons: Delegates VanValkenburg, Aird, and Bagby.

Impact and Implications

This is a symbolic, non-legislative resolution recognizing a distinguished community and religious leader.

No fiscal or regulatory changes are associated with SJ279ER.

Signals statewide appreciation for Walton’s decades of service and could reinforce the importance of faith-based community leadership in Virginia.

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