St. John Missionary Baptist Church
Missouri City, Fort Bend County, Texas
Marker Inscription
After the Civil War, former DeWalt Plantation slaves, led by Rev. Dave King, formed St. John Baptist Church (Colored) in 1869. In 1900, Anna Cartwright Roberts deeded two acres in the David Bright League to the church and County School District #19. In 1935, George L. Dew purchased the property and sold two acres in the William Stafford League to the church to relocate. In the 1960s, the church building was repositioned to the opposite side of the property and enlarged with materials from the former school. A rear addition was built in the 1970s. A 2006 arson fire heavily damaged the property. The church has held Juneteenth picnics, celebrations, activities and continual services for the surrounding communities. (2016)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
In 1869, freedpeople from the former DeWalt Plantation gathered under the Rev. Dave King to found St. John Baptist Church—one of the first institutions the newly emancipated could truly call their own. Over the decades the congregation moved and rebuilt more than once, even repositioning and enlarging its building with materials salvaged from a neighboring school, and rebuilt again after a 2006 arson fire. Through it all the church has hosted Juneteenth celebrations and unbroken services for the surrounding community.
Why it matters
Founded by formerly enslaved people just four years after emancipation, the church stands for the way Black churches became the enduring anchor of freedom, community, and Juneteenth remembrance.
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Related people
- · Dave King
- · Anna Cartwright Roberts
Related events
- · Juneteenth
Themes & tags
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