HON. RON PAUL
OF TEXAS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Monday, February 22, 2010
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Mr. PAUL.
Madam Speaker, February 28th
marks the 170th anniversary of the Avenue L
Missionary Baptist Church in Galveston,
Texas. The Avenue L Missionary Baptist
Church will commemorate this anniversary
with a series of events through this month, including
a grand parade and old fashioned picnic
on February 20th.
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One of the oldest black churches in Texas,
Avenue L Baptist is the mother church of African-
American worship in the entire state of
Texas. Texas Avenue L Baptist began as the
Colored Baptist Church, a congregation organized
by Reverend James Hutchinson to serve
Galvestonís slave population. In 1855, First
Baptist trustees Gail Borden, Jr., John S.
Sydnor, and Reverend Huckins purchased
land from the Galveston City Company for use
by the congregation of Colored Baptistís successor,
the African Baptist Church. After the
Civil War, the property was formally deeded to
the African Baptist Church, who where reorganized
under Reverend Israel S. Campbell as
the First Regular Missionary Baptist Church in
1867. The church adopted the name Avenue
L Missionary Baptist in 1903.
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In 1916, construction of the present brick
church building commenced. Many fund-raising
activities where undertaken by the people
of Galveston to raise the funds for the church.
The new structure included art glass
windowpanes, a furnace to supply steam heat,
and a baptizing pool. A pipe organ was installed
in 1921. Reverend H.M. Williams spoke
for all of his congregants when he said
“Our
Church is a most beautiful one.”
Today, almost
ninety years later, Avenue L Missionary
Baptist remains a most beautiful church.
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In 1973 work began on renovations, including
the additions of air-conditioning, and central
heating. In 1977, the Churchís stained
glass windows where refurbished and covered
with a protective shield. Reverend R.E.
McKeen, who served as pastor of Avenue L
Missionary Baptist, during the renovation also
began broadcasting sermons on local radio.
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Among the prominent pastors who have
served at Avenue L Missionary Baptist Church
are Reverend H.M. Williams, who served as
moderator of the Lincoln District Baptist Association
and led the rebuilding of the church
after the hurricane of 1900 and the Reverend
G.L. Price who served as President of the National
Baptist Convention of American and the
Mary Allen College. Reverend Andrew Walker
Berry, who served as Pastor from 1985 to
1990 was a noted composer and prolific writer
of prospectuses and pamphlets. Reverend
Berry also has over 100 gospel songs published
through his company “Musico.”
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The Avenue L Missionary Baptists Church
remains a pillar of the Galveston Community.
Every Sunday hundreds gather in the church
for services. In addition, Avenue L Missionary
serves the Galveston community with a variety
of missionaries including the Young Adult
Christian League, the Logos Bible Class, Mid-
week prayer and Bible study, the General Mission,
Jr. Melodic Messengers, and the Young
Adult Ushers. I am pleased to congratulate the
Avenue L Missionary Baptist on its 140th anniversary,
and wish for its continued success in
serving the people of Galveston.
