Beneath these very grounds lies a story of faith hope and community. I’m about to share the tale of the Green Valley Baptist Church in Houston. This church wasn’t built in a day but it grew from humble roots. Its story begins long before the current building stood here.
The Green Valley Baptist Church’s official history begins in 1896. It started in the Green Valley School House. Elder J.E. Webb and J.C. Harper organized the church on February 2. The initial members included E.H. Wilson Harrison Rippee and Julia A. Rippee. Laura Moore William Moore and Mamie Belt Moore also joined.
For nearly 17 years the Green Valley School served as their place of worship. Some stories suggest they even met in a log cabin before that. In 1913 the congregation decided it was time for a dedicated church building. A building committee formed on August 8. T.C. Wilson F.P. Garner and Wm. Rippee were on it. W.H. Mansker and E.H. Wilson also helped. The decision to build was made that day. Construction began the very next morning. Local history tells us this.
The congregation voted to move from the school house to the new church on December 20 1913. The church was then moved to its present site. The new building was almost complete. It just needed some interior painting. The total cost was $218.52. All labor was donated by the community.
Time marched on and the congregation grew. In April 1978 the members decided to build a new larger building. They would remove the old building upon the new building’s completion. The basement was poured in December 1978. The worshippers moved into the new building in April 1981. The old building was torn down soon after on April 28 1981.
The Green Valley Baptist Church faced challenges. From October 1990 to March 1991 the church was without a pastor. Fortunately several active members stepped up to fill the void. Rev. Darrell Oliphant Rev. Don Martin and Rev. Dan Nichols helped. Rev. Bob Wakefield and Rev. Newlin O. Scott also pitched in.
The current church building was dedicated on January 18 1996. The Green Valley Baptist Church has seen ups and downs. The congregation was often small. Finances were often lacking. Yet the church persevered. The Lord called ministers and others from this church to serve elsewhere.
The influence of the Green Valley Baptist Church has spread far and wide. Today the Green Valley Baptist Church stands as a testament to faith. It shows resilience and community spirit. It began with a small group in a schoolhouse. Now it continues to impact lives locally and globally. Remember this story of faith. Remember the dedication of those early members. Their spirit lives on in the Green Valley Baptist Church.