The History of Galilee Missionary Baptist Church 66th Anniversary

2008

While at Forest Lawn Missionary Baptist Church, under the pastoralship of the late Rev. R. B. Evans, Rev. D.H. Chalk had a divine inspiration to organize Galilee Missionary Baptist Church.

Galilee Missionary Baptist Church was organized in the home of Bro. and Sis. Johnny Johnson, on Sandra Street in 1942.  The church was organized with 5 members and 3 deacons.  The other original members were Sis. Rachel Thomas, Bro. Robert Young, Dec. Ike Rogers and C. Thompson.

In 1946, the congregation moved to where we are presently located.  Various organizations were organized as the congregation continued to grow.  There were numerous lay ministers, deacons, and brothers that gave their best to make this a great church in the Community of Trinity Gardens.  Just to name a few; Rev.  Sneed, Peterson, V.T. Anderson, and E. Moore. Deacons James Harrison, Sam Kelly, Louis Walker, R. B. Walker, Jack Harrison, R. Johnson, Daniel, Taylor, G. McFarland, P. McHenry and Junious.

A notable account of some dedicated members that have served in different capacities over a period of time are; Sunday School Superintendents; Deacon L.T. Johnson, Deacon Taylor, Rev. V. T.  Anderson, Sis. Helen Epherson Dewey, Bro. Paul McHenry, Sis. Diane Manning Blakely, Sis. Lillian Holmes. Sunday School Teachers: Sis. Verdie Green, Sis, Diane Blakely, and Sis. Helen Epherson Dewey, Musicians: Sis. Celesetine Joseph, Clara Moore, Bro. Billy Harriston, Sis. Marry Green Chatman, Sis. Barbara Burrell, Sis. Thomasine Johnson, Sis. Karen Lamb, Bro.Cedric Carrington.Choir Presidents Sis. V. T. Anderson, Sis. Tiny Reed Harrison, Sis. Rachel Thomas, Sis. Marva Sauls Towers, Sis. Mary Chatman, the late Bro. Clarence Wright, Sis. Estella White and Sis. Wanda Robinson.  Church Matrons: Sis. D. H. Chalk, Sis. Dorothy  Manuel, Sis. Marva Sauls Towers, Sis. Lillian Holmes, Sis. Jean Smith, Sis. Dorothy Green,  Felecia White, Linda Johnson, , LaDonia Bailey, LaDettra Evans, and Kim Hawkins Bailey,.  The First Usher Board President was Sis. Taylor.  Other faithful members included Ida Mae McHenry, Annie Mae Rogers Ethel Medlock, Bro. Ruben Medlock, Sis. Lillian Holmes and the late Bro. Ervin Hackett. Church clerks: Sis. Linda Larkin, Barbara Burrell, Debra Asberry, Lillian Holmes, Dorothy Manuel, Sandra Spiller.  Financial Secretaries: Linda Larkin, Lillian Holmes.  Assistant Financial Secretaries: Denese Woodson, Doris Wright, Sandra Spiller and LaDonia Bailey. Women Christian Counsel Director:  Sis. Marva Towers and  the Women Christian Counsel President: LaDettra Evans.

The Mission has had presidents such as Sis. Rubye White, Sis. Marva Towers, Sis. Carrie Thompson, Sis, Barbara Burrell, Sis. Morgan, Sis. Doris Wright, Sis. Rachel Thomas, Sis. Minnie Manning, Sis. Barbara King and Sis. Janice Houston.

Sis. Jean Smith Served as Program committee chairman.  Other members have included Sis. Denese Woodson, Sis. Diane Blakely, Sis. Ann Thomas, Sis. Agnes Balka, Sis. Debra Epps, Sis. Estella White, Sis. Kiwanna Sauls and Bro. Percy Larkin. Over the years, our Food Committee Chairmans have included, Sis. Marva Towers, Sis. Felecia White,  and Sis. Eliza Bailey.  Assistants have included Sis. Debra Asberry, Sis. Ann Thomas, Kiwanna Sauls, Agnes Balka, Nikitta Seastrum, Denese Woodson, Estella White, Sis. Linda Johnson, Sis. Debra Epps, Ladonia Bailey and Sis. Diane Blakely. Mothers of the Church:  Si.s. Verdie Green and Sis. Minnie Ola Andrus.

Pastor D. H. Chalk  served as pastor of Galilee for 29 years and was a member of the Puritan District Association.  Ill-health forced Pastor Chalk to retire. Rev. Chalk was called home to be with the Lord in December, 1977.  Rev. Henry Anderson, Jr. Was appointed Pastor and served faithfully from 1975 to 1980.  In December, of 1977, In 1981, the church called from it’s own membership, Rev. E. R. Sauls.  He served as pastor from 1980 to 1982.  Rev. Sauls resigned as Pastor in April, 1982.  During the interim period, Rev. Roscoe Freelon presided over the pulpit.

After many fervent prayers, Rev. E. Clinton Grace, Jr. was called as Pastor of Galilee.  Pastor Grace preached his first sermon, September 15, 1982.  Under Pastor Grace’s leadership, and spiritual teachings, the church grew in spirit, number and finance.  During, his ministry, the church grew and  others  reunited back to the church.  Many organizations were formed.  He emphasized the importance of being a prepared “Soul Winner”  by teaching, preaching and doing.  Pastor Grace Encouraged the members to attend the World Christian Training Center at Second Calvacade Baptist Church. 

April, 1983, under the leadership of Pastor Grace, deacons were installed.  They were Deacons Percy Larkin, Jerry Johnson, John Thompson, Ervin Hackett, Walter Chatman, Alex White, Sr. and Larry Manning.   He installed the following Trustees:  Brothers  Ben Ed Green, Robert Thomas, Maurice Asberry, George White, Jr. and Joseph Woodson.  The last wooden building that Galilee occupied, was moved from this present site for construction of this edifice which began September, 1983.  All of the brothers of the church helped with the construction.  However, Bro. Ben Green and Bro. Larry Manning were given Plaques for starting and completing the construction  of the church. During the period that Galilee was being built, we worshipped at True Gospel Missionary Baptist Church on Pembrook and Lockwood Funeral Home. 

Rev. John L. King, was selected to serve as pastor of the Galilee Missionary Baptist Church, September 1989.  This dynamic pastor, was born, August 16, 1950, Attended Jack Yates High School and Texas Southern University, majoring in music and voice.  He also studied at Houston Union Bible College.  Rev. King started preaching the gospel at 18 years of age and began his ministry under the leadership of the late Pastor J. J. Jones and Pastor R. E. Daniels.  Pastor King is commited to going out into the community to win souls for Christ.  One visit to Galilee, and you will see Pastor King’s love for the ministry and his desire to prepare us for God’s Kingdom.

Under the leadership of Rev. King and the grace of God, the church purchased a van and in the same year, paid off the church’s mortgage.  The following individuals pledged and donated the money  to pay off the mortgage:  Bro. Ben Ed Green, Bro. John Thompson, Bro. Lincoln Green, Bro. Walter Chatman, Sis. Diane Blakely, Bro. Jerry Johnson, Bro. Percy Larkin, and Bro. Larry Manning. The church celebrated this great event with a spirit filled “Burning of the Mortgage” Ceremony, on October 24, 1993, at 3:00 P.M.

Another milestone, took place the following year, on January 9, 1994 at 3:00 P.M.  The Church’s Corner Stone was erected.  The Church marked this event by having a grand celebration praising God. 

In 1999, the Pastor’s Aide Department presented Pastor King with a Brand new 1999 Ford Taurus Station Wagon.

On Wednesday, October 11, 2000, the youth department made  a commercial for Channel 11 and Fiesta’s Super Sports Club. The commercial was aired in November 2000-May 2004.

Bro. Houston Preached his first sermon, December 31, 2002.  The first half of  his first Sermon,  was preached Tuesday, December 31, 2002 and the other half, Wednesday, January 1, 2003.

Bro. Lincoln Green, Sis. Wanda Robinson and Sis. Linda Frank all became ushers in 2003 and continues to serve in this capacity.

The Mission One Department  hosted its first  Women’s Conference and Workshop Extravaganza, February 3-5,  2005. The Theme was Women of Prayer and Power Serving God’s Purpose.

After many attempts to get our church plans approved by the City of Houston’s  Planning Department, our plans were finally approved to begin the task of  building a Fellowship and Educational Building, on May 16, 2005. Construction began August 15, 2005. We have been truly blessed in this endeavor because we were able to get a contractor to assist with this endeavor without charging the church.  The Fellowship Hall is not quiet completed but we can say, that as of this date, we do not owe anyone for the work that has been complete,   We are very close to finishing,  We need plumbing fixtures and miscellaneous items to be completed. February 6, 2007, the Church purchased one lot and one lot was donated to the church. These lots are to be used for parking. May 7,  2008, the church was blessed to be able to purchase another lot.   

It is only by God’s divine grace that the Galilee Missionary Baptist Church Family has continued to be blessed for 65 years. If great event worth noting in the history of the church, please inform me after service so that it can be added for future reference.