Mount Gilead Baptist Church

Duane's take

The way the marker tells it, here's the story of Mount Gilead Baptist Church in Lubbock County. In October of 1917, the Rev. A.

Wilson called together the organizational meeting that would start this congregation. Now, those early days were not easy. Problems plagued the fellowship, and more than a few members walked away.

The church could have folded right there, and nobody would have been surprised. But then came September of 1919, and the cotton harvest that season was something to talk about. A successful cotton harvest brought more people pouring into Lubbock, and some of those folks found their way to Mt.

Gilead. Membership grew. The congregation that had nearly scattered found its footing.

From those shaky beginnings, Mt. Gilead grew into something the whole region recognized. The church became host to the West Texas Association of Baptist Churches, and it built a long reputation for programs of music and evangelism.

Believed to be the oldest black congregation in Lubbock, Mt. Gilead has held a significant role of leadership in the community ever since. A congregation that almost didn't survive its own first years turned out to be the one that outlasted everything else.

That's the kind of story a cotton harvest and a determined fellowship can write together.

What the marker says

The organizational meeting for this congregation was held in October 1917 by the Rev. A. Wilson. Although early problems plagued the fellowship and many members left the church, a successful cotton harvest in September 1919 attracted more people to Lubbock, which helped increase membership in the church. Mt. Gilead has been host to the West Texas Association of Baptist Churches and has long promoted programs of music and evangelism. Believed to be Lubbock's oldest black congregation, Mt. Gilead maintains a significant role of leadership in the community. 1984