Antioch Missionary Baptist Church stands as a powerful testament to faith and freedom in Houston. Founded in 1866 by courageous formerly enslaved people just months after emancipation, this historic church has been a spiritual anchor for generations. Its story shows God’s hand guiding His people from chains to purpose.
Pastor Jack Yates embodied this divine journey. Born into slavery in Virginia in 1828, God uniquely prepared him for leadership. Providentially, young Yates learned reading, writing, and business skills while working in his enslaver’s household. This training equipped him to lead Antioch as its first full-time pastor.
Yates’ legacy lives on through Pastor Lou McElroy, whose wife is Yates’ great-great-granddaughter. McElroy passionately shares how God orchestrated Yates’ path—from the plantation to founding Houston’s first Black-owned church building. The Lord used hardship to forge a leader who would build His kingdom.
Antioch’s founders worshipped outdoors along Buffalo Bayou before acquiring their own land. Their faith-built “Brush Arbor” services blossomed into a cornerstone institution. This church didn’t just preach hope—it empowered freedmen through education, property ownership, and community development.
Under Yates’ leadership, Antioch became a hub of Black excellence. The congregation started Houston’s first school for freedmen in 1885 and later co-purchased Emancipation Park for Juneteenth celebrations. Their vision lifted an entire community through biblical principles of diligence and self-reliance.
Today, Antioch continues honoring this faith-filled legacy. The church recently commemorated Juneteenth 2025 by reflecting on God’s faithfulness through 159 years of trials and triumphs. Its story remains a beacon of how divine providence triumphs over man’s injustice.
The church’s red-brick sanctuary, built by freedmen in 1875, still stands in Freedman’s Town. It symbolizes what faithful patriots achieve when they trust God’s plan. Antioch proves that true freedom comes through Christ, not government handouts.
This enduring institution reminds us that America’s greatness springs from such stories of faith overcoming oppression. Antioch’s legacy calls patriots to defend religious liberty and honor the godly pioneers who built our nation from nothing. Their trust in God’s plan remains an inspiration for all freedom-loving Americans.
