1905 /1916 - Ave L Baptist Church, Galveston, TX - Dated Buildings and Cornerstones on Waymarking.com

The Texas Historical Marker here tells the story of this historic church:

One of the oldest black congregations in Texas, this church grew from the slave membership of the First Baptist Church of Galveston, organized in 1840 by the Rev. James Huckins. By the early 1850s the blacks were worshiping in a separate building. In 1855 land for use by the fellowship, then known as the African Baptist Church, was purchased from Galveston City Company by First Baptist trustees Gail Borden, Jr., James Huckins, and John S. Sydnor. Following the Civil War, the property was formally deeded to the congregation, reorganized under the leadership of the Rev. I. S. Campbell as the First Regular Missionary Baptist Church. About 1903, during the pastorate of the Rev. P. A. Shelton, the present name was adopted.

Prominent pastors here have included the Rev. H. M. Williams, 1904-33, moderator of the Lincoln District Baptist Association; the Rev. G. L. Prince, 1934-56, later president of the National Baptist Convention and of Mary Allen College in Crockett, Texas; and the Rev. R. E. McKeen, 1957-78, who also served as moderator of the Lincoln District Association.

Since the 1840s, members of the Avenue L Missionary Baptist Church have played a significant role in the religious and civic development of Galveston.

Year of construction: 1905 Full inscription: Avenue L Baptist Church Organized 1867 by Rev. I.S. Campbell Destroyed By Storm 1900 Rebuilt 1905 - Remodeled 1916 Rev. H. Williams, Pastor Trustees L. Rose E. Mock N. Kemp M. Bates L. Phelps P.B. Phelps D.T. Shelton C. Hillard Come To Jesus Cross-listed waymark: Not listed

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   11/23/2018 WalksfarTX visited it 04/14/2007 ggmorton visited it

View all visits/logs