Faith Community Church

Amidst the vibrant tapestry of Houston’s history, Faith Community Church stands as a testament to faith, resilience, and transformation. Originally known as Mount Pillow Missionary Baptist Church, Faith Community Church traces its origins back to 1873. Reverend Jack Henry Yates, a former slave with remarkable leadership abilities, founded the church. Yates, who learned to read from the son of his owner, not only established this church, but also played a crucial role in founding Freedmen’s Town near downtown Houston. He started schools and businesses. He became a renowned minister, establishing multiple churches. Faith Community Church stands proudly among the oldest churches in Houston. After decades of various pastors leading the congregation, a young 27-year-old, Reverend Charlie Daniel James Dixon, became the interim pastor in 1927. Soon after, he was appointed permanent pastor. At the time, the church resided near Buffalo Bayou, in what is now Houston’s historic 6th Ward. Racial tensions prompted a move in 1949 to Feagan Street in the historic West End. This move took immense faith. The church had only 93 cents in its account. For a year, services were held under a tent, purchased on the Sears and Roebuck credit account of Deacon Richard McGarity, a man who served the church faithfully for over 60 years. A new building arose on Feagan Street in 1951. Velma Dixon, Pastor Dixon’s wife, founded a kindergarten and elementary school. Growth led to expansion and a name change to Greater Mount Pillow Missionary Baptist Church. In 1974, the mortgage was paid in full, a cause for immense celebration. Reverend C.D. Dixon served for 50 years, becoming known for his character, love, and faith. Before his passing in 1978, he recommended Reverend Clovis Emory Johnson as his successor. Reverend Johnson, an educator, emphasized Christian education during his three-year tenure. A challenging search for a new leader followed. Then, a young man, James Wallace Edwin Dixon II, grandson of Reverend C.D. Dixon, who had given his first sermon in 1978 at the age of 18, was elected pastor in 1981. Under his leadership, Faith Community Church experienced rapid growth, adding a second Sunday service and a Tuesday Night Live! Bible study. The church relocated to Pinemont Drive in 1986, purchasing the property of Pinemont Baptist Church. Dominion Preparatory School, a renowned early childhood and elementary school, was founded in 1987. The church launched Dominion Community Development Corporation in the early 1990s, leading to the creation of several subdivisions and the rehabilitation of Dominion Square Apartments. The church acquired 22.6 acres across from the Pinemont property in 1990, envisioning a new edifice. In 1996, they paid off the remaining mortgage, burning the note in 1997. In 1999, the congregation entered “The King’s Dome,” a 2,000-seat facility. The church adopted the name The Community Of Faith, reflecting its city-wide reach. Its mission extended to Africa, with a facility dedicated in Uganda in 2004, housing and caring for hundreds of orphans. The Community Of Faith Church continues to impact the community and beyond.