Historic church on East Side marks 150 years
Members of New Light Baptist Church celebrate its 150th anniversary with a procession through downtown Sunday. Thirteen African American settlers founded the church in what’s now known as the Lavaca area. The current church is on the East Side and was completed in 1942. In 2017, the city designated New Light as one of 26 historic East Side churches.
Members of New Light Baptist Church gathered Sunday morning near a spot where its church founders — 13 African America settlers — held their first service Nov. 25, 1870, under a tree on South Alamo Street.
They met in an area called the Baptist Settlement, the city’s earliest Black community. Today, it’s known as the Lavaca neighborhood.
Holding a tall wooden staff, the Rev. Paul G. Wilkinson offered up a prayer in a lot across from the Tower of the Americas, where congregation members in vehicles had lined up for a parade to commemorate the church’s 150-year anniversary.
“What a great beginning,” said Wilkinson, 71. “Coming out of slavery and they were looking for a new life, new joy, and they built New Light Baptist Church. We
stand on their shoulders.”
More than 50 parishioners took part in the celebration that included a worship service.
With lights flashing and gospel songs echoing from loudspeakers, San Antonio police officers escorted the caravan along a 1.2-mile route from the 600 block of César E. Chavez Boulevard to the church at 607 Piedmont Ave., called the church on the hill.
Pedestrians and people waiting at bus stops waved as the parade passed beneath the Interstate 37 overpass, past the Alamodome and onto Joe Webb Bridge. As the procession reached the crest of the bridge, Wilkinson was overcome with the weight of the moment.
His grandfather P.S. Wilkinson officiated over the church’s 100-year anniversary.
“I bless God for this day and this opportunity,” he said as tears filled his eyes. “It’s a great day.”
The pastor’s wife, Angelia Wilkinson, offered visitors details of a custom-sewn quilt marking pivotal moments in the church’s history that was on display outside the sanctuary. The church grew and flourished through the Great Depression, two world wars and two pandemics.
Since it was founded, New Light has worshipped in four churches. In 1888, the parishioners moved to Garfield Alley and later to 333 Lavaca Street.
In 1940, the housing authority ordered the church to move to make room for a project. Wilkinson’s grandfather led a campaign to receive funds from the authority so the congregation could relocate to a new address. They received a settlement of $7,500. The present church was completed in February 1942.
In 2017, the city designated New Light as one of 26 historic churches on the East Side.
Before 11 a.m. Sunday, deacon
Charles Blackwell rang the 100year-old church bell several times to announce the start of the service.
Wilkinson, deacons and guest pastor the Rev. Jerry William Dailey took their seats at the pulpit as the congregation sat in every other pew not strung with strings of red tinsel in order to keep social distancing.
Since the pandemic began, the church has transitioned from services in person to online.
Currently, the church has 150 members. Wilkinson said older churches are facing a growing problem as memberships decline. Willie Mae McVea, 90, is the only remaining congregation member from the Baptist Settlement, home of the original church building.
As the program began, shouts of “Amen” filled the sanctuary. The anniversary choir sang songs that had members standing, clapping and raising their
arms in the air.
Sunlight streamed through colorful stained-glass windows as speakers remembered those who served before them.
Helen Norris recalled the legacy of service passed down from members who taught, cooked meals and sang songs of hope and joy. Toni Kennedy read proclamations from the city and the state that were projected on a screen near the pulpit.
Dailey, pastor of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, wiped his brow with a black handkerchief before he gave his sermon, titled “The Living Word.”
Dailey said he was honored to take part in the “special and significant” event — the first time he has spoken outside of his church since the pandemic began.
“Good words in bad times,” he said, “which is what New Light has provided for 150 years.”
After shouts of “Amen,” the service came to a close. Associate minister James Bryant and his wife, Joyce, thanked all the church ministries.
Wilkinson and other marchers wore denim coveralls and jean jackets, just as church parishioners did in the late 1800s because functional clothes were all they could afford.
Bryant, 71, said the founders’ passion still lives on at New Light.
“We wanted to dress like them,” he said. “And emulate them.”