Wesley African Methodist Episcopal Church, located in the Greater Third Ward Community had a very humble beginning in the rear of a rope factory on the corner of Milam and Congress Streets in Houston, Texas.  With less than a dozen determined souls, mostly women, the church congregation began to assemble.

 

Established as an A.M.E. Church, its Mission was To Minister to the Social, Spiritual and Physical Development of all People. 

 

The church was later moved to Preston Street where a small “Box House” was built for worship.  The name Wesley Chapel A.M.E. Church was recommended by Presiding Elder Rev. Henry White; confirmed by Bishop T.M.D. Ward; and dedicated in 1877.  After several relocations over a period of 20 years, what was believed to be the permanent home for Wesley Chapel was purchased on the corner of Texas Avenue and Chartres Streets September 5, 1897.  Nine years later in 1906, The Houston Belt and Terminal Co. filed a condemnation lawsuits against the same property in an effort to expand its own terminal business.  In November, 1906, the present site was purchased at the corner of Dowling and Webster and a new building was erected known as “The Stone Church” or “The Rock Church.”

Later in 1925, this building was completely demolished as plans were developed for a new church on the same site.  While the construction was in progress, the congregation worshipped for one year in The Old Jones Barn… a building that was also used as a movie theater, on the corner of Dowling and Tuam Streets.

 

In the 1930’s, a continuing phase of the construction project began while the congregation established temporary  worship services in the Jack Yates High School Auditorium on Elgin and Live Oak Streets.  During this phase, completion of the first floor steps were built projecting from the rear of the front sidewalk that  led to the unfinished second floor which remained unfinished from 1925 through 1952…..twenty-seven years!  Immediately following this lapse in time, the interior of the second floor was completed and still serves as the main sanctuary from 1952 to this day.

 

During the first two and a half decades of Wesley Chapel’s struggle, the congregation remained faithful, steadfast and un-moveable with the relentless support from the Pastoral Leadership of Rev. J. Harvey Jones, Rev. P. C. Hunt, Rev. Gordon, Rev. Harris, Rev. Moment and countless others who believed in our mission . . . and in 1904, Rev. J.P. Howard was sent to pastor this determined group of pioneers.  In the years to follow, other pastors to lead this growing congregation included: