Zion Missionary Baptist Church
Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Founded in 1919, this church has played an important role in the African American community of Lake Como in Fort Worth. The congregation erected this building in 1923, and that same year, the Rev. G. W. Burton began his long pastorate through 1966, years in which the church grew as a leader in the community. He was followed by the Rev. J. W. Briscoe, Sr., who served until 1992. Over the years, the congregation deeply affected the city through social, civic and public involvement. Members also contributed to the economy through Lake Como entrepreneurship. A spiritual leader in the Civil Rights era, the church today continues to play a vital spiritual role in the community. (2006)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Founded in 1919, Zion Missionary Baptist Church became a cornerstone of the African American neighborhood of Lake Como in Fort Worth, raising its building in 1923. That same year the Rev. G.W. Burton began a pastorate lasting until 1966, followed by the Rev. J.W. Briscoe, Sr., through 1992—decades in which the church anchored the community's spiritual, civic, and economic life. It stood as a spiritual leader through the civil rights era and remains active today.
Why it matters
The church shows how Black congregations served as the organizing heart of segregated communities, nurturing leadership and enterprise through the civil rights years.
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Related people
- · Rev. G.W. Burton
- · Rev. J.W. Briscoe, Sr.
Themes & tags
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