Standing right in front of Lakeview Baptist Church on West Martin Street, you can almost feel the weight of time and history. This church, a landmark on San Antonio’s East Side, is more than just a place of worship; it’s a testament to resilience and faith. Lakeview Baptist Church wasn’t always here, though, because the church you see today is a second home. The story of this church is interwoven with the story of the African-American community in San Antonio. It started in 1870, just five years after slavery was abolished in Texas, and it was organized by thirteen newly-freed men and women who were looking for a new start. They held their first services under a tree, later building a simple “brush arbor” until they finally erected their first church building in 1913 in a neighborhood called the Baptist Settlement. The church was a beacon of hope for the black community in San Antonio, providing a safe haven during the hard times of Jim Crow and the civil rights movement, a place of solace and strength. In 1940, the church moved to its current location, up on a hill, where it has remained ever since. Today, the original pulpit and furniture from the 1913 church remain, a constant reminder of the past and the enduring spirit of this community. The church also received the distinct honour of being recognized as a historical landmark. The fact that this church has stood the test of time and weathered the storms of segregation and prejudice is a powerful statement about the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of faith.
Judson High School
Remember the name Moses Campbell Judson. Judson High School and the entire Judson Independent School District carry his name. He