What do a handful of settlers and a little church have in common? They are the foundation of Saint Mary’s Missionary Baptist Church. Right here in Houston’s West End, where houses were few and churches even fewer, a dream took root in 1919. A small group, led by John Dixon and George Stubberfield, yearned for a place of worship. They turned to Reverend W.M. Jones, a beacon at Mt. Sinai Baptist Church. And so, Saint Mary’s Baptist Church was born. Their first home was a humble gathering at the foot of Patterson Street. But faith, like a river, finds its way. Within three months, they moved to 1901 Patterson Street. Their first pastor, Reverend R.J. Jordan, was a man of fire and spirit. For twelve years, he nurtured the congregation, watching it grow steadily. Through the decades, Saint Mary’s saw pastors come and go, each leaving their mark. Debts were paid, buildings improved, and the congregation blossomed. In 1964, under the guidance of Reverend C.S. Gunnells, a new chapter unfolded. They built a new home, the very same building we stand before today, right here on Eli Street. His legacy, like the faith he preached, lives on, woven into the very fabric of Saint Mary’s. Today, Saint Mary’s Missionary Baptist Church stands as a testament to the power of faith, a beacon that has weathered the storms of time and emerged stronger.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to