The History of First Missionary Baptist Church
In the year 1898, God revealed to the late Rev. Senna and a few dedicated Christians the need to establish a place of worship in the city of Angleton for Black People. There were several churches for Blacks throughout the rural area of the county.
From 1898 to the present, the church has been under the pastoral leadership of seven ministers. Rev. Senna, served as the first pastor. He was succeeded by Rev. Hamp Evans, Rev. K. C. Willis, Rev. Eddie Williams, Rev. W. M. Adams, Rev. H. L. Hubbard, and Rev. M. D. Guidry. Rev. Evans built the first church after a one-lot tract of land was purchased from Mary Richardson for $50.00 in 1905. The first Church building faced West live Oak Street. Additions were made as the Church congregation increased in number.
After Rev. Evans, Rev. K. C. Willis and Rev. Eddie Williams, Rev. W. M. Adams was called to Pastor in 1945. The Church had much of its growth under Rev. Adam’s leadership. Choirs were added; Mission groups grew, and Youth Programs were organized. Another lot just west of the Church on North Columbia Street was purchased in 1945. This lot is where most of the present church is now located. It was purchased from Elizabeth Jackson for $200.00. The Church initially held only one worship service a month. Rev. Adams added another worship service and the Church then met on the 1st and 3rd Sundays. A new church building was built and entered for service in1957 (which is where the present building is). It was designed to seat 500 people. Rev. Adams passed away in 1962 while still pastoring the Church.
Rev. H. L. Hubbard was called to pastor and was installed in 1963. Under his leadership, the church continued to grow as we know it today. The 2nd Sunday service as added. Therefore, church services were held each 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Sundays. The new church mortgage was paid off, additional Choirs and Missions were added, and the Corner Stone was laid. In the late 70's the 4th and 5th Sundays were added. This was the beginning of full time service. The parking lot at the corner of North Columbia Street and West Live Oak Street was purchased for $5,000.00. It was paved and fenced.
It was during this time that the plans for a Fellowship Hall plus other additional spaces, classrooms, and improvements were started. In November 1981, the first “Family and Friends Day Program” was founded and organized by Rev. Hubbard to help provide funds for the planned renovations and expansion. As the planning started and we were really beginning to make progress, the Lord saw a need to call our beloved Pastor, Rev. H. L. Hubbard, home. He passed away in June 1986 while attending the National Baptist Congress in Indiana. This was an humbling experience for our church and a tremendous test of faith, strength, and courage; but by the grace and love of God, the members weathered the storm together. Rev. S. M. Johnson and Rev. M. D. Guidry served as interim preachers and the church continued to make preparations for the new construction. In March of 1987, Rev. M. D. Guidry was called to pastor and was installed in July. The following year, the church received its official charter as First Missionary Baptist Church of Angleton. Rev. M. D. Guidry served as pastor until October 1997.
On May 1, 1989 the renovation and construction of the new fellowship hall was started. By the grace and love of God, on February 1, 1990, the project was completed. On May 20, 1990 a Commemorative and Dedication Service was held to dedicate the Fellowship Hall to the glory of God in memory of the late beloved Rev. H. L. Hubbard who was the founder of the plans to build the Fellowship Hall and was the organizer of Family and Friends Day at First Missionary Baptist Church.
After months and years of planning, working and giving our time, talents and our earthly substance, the church was able to accelerate payment on the debt principle and therefore the church become debt-free in October 1992. A Mortgage Burning Ceremony was held in February 1993. What a joyous and spiritual occasion; for through God our prayers had been answered.
During this time, the church property continued to grow. The Hubbard Family donated the home of Rev. H. L. Hubbard to the First Missionary Baptist Church. The church purchased 8 lots adjoining the east side of the church. Later the church bought one additional lot to complete the ownership of all the lots in the block.
In the early months of 1997, the church began plans for it’s Centennial Celebration. Plans were made to improve the interior of the church sanctuary. The sanctuary improvements were completed the following year. The stained glass windows were installed in June. The foyer and restrooms were redesigned and enlarged. The carpet, pews, pulpit furniture, and choir chairs were installed in August. A dedication service for the improvements was held on August 30, 1998.
First Missionary Baptist Church held its Centennial Celebration on September 13, 1998. The Church family, friends and special guests gave thanks to God for guidance through 100 years of spiritual service.
After many prayers from the church officers and members, Rev. Gerald Holland was called to pastor First Missionary Baptist Church. Rev. Holland preached his first sermon as pastor on March 7, 1999, and was installed on April 25, 1999. The church has experienced a spiritual blessing and has shown the fastest growth in its 111-year history. First Missionary will continue in the new millennium under God’s guidance and blessing.
In the year 1898, God revealed to the late Rev. Senna and a few dedicated Christians the need to establish a place of worship in the city of Angleton for Black People. There were several churches for Blacks throughout the rural area of the county.
From 1898 to the present, the church has been under the pastoral leadership of seven ministers. Rev. Senna, served as the first pastor. He was succeeded by Rev. Hamp Evans, Rev. K. C. Willis, Rev. Eddie Williams, Rev. W. M. Adams, Rev. H. L. Hubbard, and Rev. M. D. Guidry. Rev. Evans built the first church after a one-lot tract of land was purchased from Mary Richardson for $50.00 in 1905. The first Church building faced West live Oak Street. Additions were made as the Church congregation increased in number.
After Rev. Evans, Rev. K. C. Willis and Rev. Eddie Williams, Rev. W. M. Adams was called to Pastor in 1945. The Church had much of its growth under Rev. Adam’s leadership. Choirs were added; Mission groups grew, and Youth Programs were organized. Another lot just west of the Church on North Columbia Street was purchased in 1945. This lot is where most of the present church is now located. It was purchased from Elizabeth Jackson for $200.00. The Church initially held only one worship service a month. Rev. Adams added another worship service and the Church then met on the 1st and 3rd Sundays. A new church building was built and entered for service in1957 (which is where the present building is). It was designed to seat 500 people. Rev. Adams passed away in 1962 while still pastoring the Church.
Rev. H. L. Hubbard was called to pastor and was installed in 1963. Under his leadership, the church continued to grow as we know it today. The 2nd Sunday service as added. Therefore, church services were held each 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Sundays. The new church mortgage was paid off, additional Choirs and Missions were added, and the Corner Stone was laid. In the late 70's the 4th and 5th Sundays were added. This was the beginning of full time service. The parking lot at the corner of North Columbia Street and West Live Oak Street was purchased for $5,000.00. It was paved and fenced.
It was during this time that the plans for a Fellowship Hall plus other additional spaces, classrooms, and improvements were started. In November 1981, the first “Family and Friends Day Program” was founded and organized by Rev. Hubbard to help provide funds for the planned renovations and expansion. As the planning started and we were really beginning to make progress, the Lord saw a need to call our beloved Pastor, Rev. H. L. Hubbard, home. He passed away in June 1986 while attending the National Baptist Congress in Indiana. This was an humbling experience for our church and a tremendous test of faith, strength, and courage; but by the grace and love of God, the members weathered the storm together. Rev. S. M. Johnson and Rev. M. D. Guidry served as interim preachers and the church continued to make preparations for the new construction. In March of 1987, Rev. M. D. Guidry was called to pastor and was installed in July. The following year, the church received its official charter as First Missionary Baptist Church of Angleton. Rev. M. D. Guidry served as pastor until October 1997.
On May 1, 1989 the renovation and construction of the new fellowship hall was started. By the grace and love of God, on February 1, 1990, the project was completed. On May 20, 1990 a Commemorative and Dedication Service was held to dedicate the Fellowship Hall to the glory of God in memory of the late beloved Rev. H. L. Hubbard who was the founder of the plans to build the Fellowship Hall and was the organizer of Family and Friends Day at First Missionary Baptist Church.
After months and years of planning, working and giving our time, talents and our earthly substance, the church was able to accelerate payment on the debt principle and therefore the church become debt-free in October 1992. A Mortgage Burning Ceremony was held in February 1993. What a joyous and spiritual occasion; for through God our prayers had been answered.
During this time, the church property continued to grow. The Hubbard Family donated the home of Rev. H. L. Hubbard to the First Missionary Baptist Church. The church purchased 8 lots adjoining the east side of the church. Later the church bought one additional lot to complete the ownership of all the lots in the block.
In the early months of 1997, the church began plans for it’s Centennial Celebration. Plans were made to improve the interior of the church sanctuary. The sanctuary improvements were completed the following year. The stained glass windows were installed in June. The foyer and restrooms were redesigned and enlarged. The carpet, pews, pulpit furniture, and choir chairs were installed in August. A dedication service for the improvements was held on August 30, 1998.
First Missionary Baptist Church held its Centennial Celebration on September 13, 1998. The Church family, friends and special guests gave thanks to God for guidance through 100 years of spiritual service.
After many prayers from the church officers and members, Rev. Gerald Holland was called to pastor First Missionary Baptist Church. Rev. Holland preached his first sermon as pastor on March 7, 1999, and was installed on April 25, 1999. The church has experienced a spiritual blessing and has shown the fastest growth in its 111-year history. First Missionary will continue in the new millennium under God’s guidance and blessing.
