Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church

Duane's take

Here's my telling of what the official marker has to say about Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church in Harris County. Pull up a chair, because this one goes back a good ways. We're talking about Houston's Third Ward, back when the neighborhood was still finding its shape.

The year was 1879, and a man named the Reverend James Harvey Makey called his neighbors to his home. Not to a grand sanctuary, not to a fellowship hall. To his home.

And out of that gathering, the Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church was born. Now Reverend Makey, born in 1849, wasn't working alone in spirit. He was a member of Antioch Baptist Church, and he found guidance from Antioch's own pastor, a man the marker calls the noted Reverend John Henry Yates, known to his congregation as Jack.

When a man earns the word noted on a historical marker, you can bet folks remembered him well. Makey got to work. By 1884, he and Deacon Clarence Young had raised up a small frame church building with their own hands.

Makey and his wife Jeanette served that congregation for many years. And they weren't doing it alone. Brother Henry Thomas stepped forward as the first Sunday School superintendent.

Deacons Joe McConico, David Thompson, and Willie Hogan lent their strength too. Come spring, members held revivals. On Easter Sunday, they conducted baptisms in Buffalo Bayou.

There is something about a congregation gathering at a bayou on Easter morning that stops you right in your tracks. The church kept growing. By 1917, that growing congregation had purchased this very site for a new sanctuary.

New ground, new walls, same fire. In 1928, the Reverend Joseph Patience Churchwell became pastor. He would serve until his death in January of 1957.

Nearly three decades of leadership. Under Churchwell, the congregation built itself into something remarkable: evangelism programs, twelve Mission Circles, a men's chorus, a youth council, various boards and groups. His wife and daughter were active right alongside him, helping build the congregation's services.

And in 1954, still during Churchwell's pastorate, members constructed a new sanctuary. The church kept outgrowing itself, which is about the best problem a church can have. When Reverend Churchwell passed in January of 1957, the congregation called the Reverend David Leon Everett the Second to serve as pastor.

He answered that call in 1957, and he would serve until his own death in 1990. Under his guidance the church reached outward into the community, participated in various Baptist networks, and more than fifteen hundred members joined during his time as pastor. Fifteen hundred souls.

That's not a congregation. That's a movement. And here is the thing that lands this story.

The marker tells us that the Jerusalem Missionary Baptist congregation has met at this location since its founding in Reverend Makey's home. From a man's living room in 1879, to a frame building in 1884, to a purchased site in 1917, to a new sanctuary in 1954, every chapter of this church's life has unfolded on the same patch of Third Ward ground. Some foundations you just don't leave.

What the marker says

As Houston's Third Ward neighborhood developed, the Rev. James Harvey Makey (1849-1915) called neighbors to his home in 1879 to form the Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church. Makey, a member of Antioch Baptist Church, found guidance from Antioch's pastor, the noted Rev. John Henry "Jack" Yates. Rev. Makey and Deacon Clarence Young constructed a small frame church building in 1884. Makey and his wife, Jeanette, served the congregation for many years. Other early leaders included Brother Henry Thomas, the first Sunday School superintendent, as well as Deacons Joe McConico, David Thompson, and Willie Hogan. Members held revivals in the spring and conducted baptisms on Easter Sunday in Buffalo Bayou. In 1917, the growing congregation purchased this site for a new sanctuary. The Rev. Joseph Patience Churchwell became pastor in 1928 and served until his death in January 1957. During his years of leadership the congregation developed many programs, including evangelism, twelve Mission Circles, men's chorus, youth council and various boards and groups. His wife and daughter were also active in building the congregation's services. In 1954, also during Churchwell's pastorate, members constructed a new sanctuary. Church members called the Rev. David Leon Everett, II to serve as pastor in 1957, and he served until his death in 1990. Under his guidance the church initiated community outreach activities and participated in various Baptist networks. More than 1,500 members joined during his time as pastor. Today, Jerusalem Missionary Baptist congregation continues to uphold the standards set by its strong leaders, playing an active role in community life. The church has met at this location since its founding in the Rev. Makey's home. (2005)