Bethel Baptist Church
McAllen, Hidalgo County, Texas
Marker Inscription
In 1936, when Eugene and Georgia Hubbard found no churches for African Americans in McAllen, they established Little Bethel Baptist Church on the corner of Fresno and 18th Streets. It was named Little Bethel as Bethel is Hebrew for House of God. Rev. R.P. Allen was the first pastor, and Eugene Hubbard, Andy Williams and Will Earl Williams served as the first deacons. Despite the church's humble accommodations on Fresno Street, where there was no electricity or indoor plumbing, Little Bethel became the center of activities for African Americans of this area. In 1941, the church was renamed Bethel Baptist Church when they moved to this location, and built the new church themselves. (2015)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
In 1936, finding no church for African Americans in McAllen, Eugene and Georgia Hubbard founded Little Bethel Baptist Church on a corner of Fresno Street. Though the humble building had neither electricity nor indoor plumbing, it quickly became the heart of Black community life in the area. In 1941 the congregation moved to this site, built a new church with their own hands, and shortened the name to Bethel Baptist.
Why it matters
Bethel Baptist testifies to the resilience of a small African American community in the segregated Rio Grande Valley, who built their own house of worship and civic gathering place from nothing.
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Related people
- · Eugene Hubbard
- · Georgia Hubbard
- · Rev. R.P. Allen
Themes & tags
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