FIRST CHURCH for AFRICAN AMERICANS IN BORGER, TEXAS

Nominated for STATE HISTORICAL MARKER

In 1927, a year after Borger, Texas was

founded, many African Americans came there

for better wages and employment BETHEL

BAPTIST CHURCH opportunities. Most of them

had migrated from various farming and

agricultural communities in Texas. Considering

that Borger, Texas even in 1927 was still Bethel Baptist Church-the first Black church in Hutchinson County (now located on 11th St. in the Northside Addition of Borger) developing,

housing was very scarce. So the first African American settlers who first came there

lived in temporary shelters (tents) until more permanent structures were built. The first

African American community of Borger was located on the westside of town (now 8th-

10th Street, and McGee Street).

The development of this first African American community was started by an African

American businessman from Ft. Worth, Texas named - John Smith. Smith made

arrangements with Ace Borger (founder of Borger, Texas) for a portion of land on the

westside to build and develop a community for the African American settlers. In 1927 he

built houses, a store and the first church for the African Americans settlers to worship.

The church was named: Bethel Church, and its first pastor was John Smith. The

property was known later known to the African American community as the Etta White

Barbeque property. Also in 1927, the first classroom of formal education (school) for African American

children was held in Bethel Church. At that time, there were 7 children attending the

school. In 1928, Tallie Smith who relocated from Amarillo, Texas was its first teacher.

The highest grade available was the 6th. The classroom at that time consisted of 8

children. Due to the demands in 1929 by Borger School District for development and

expansion of the westside, the African American community were forced to move to the

northside addition Borger.  The move of the African American community which was done in one day

included the relocation of Bethel Baptist church and the school that was held at that church. Bethel Church relocated to 11th and Brain St. The classroom for African American children continued to be held in Bethel Church on 11th Street, until 1931. In 1931, Borger School District built a school building on Brain

and 12TH Street, which is where the children continued their education. The school was

named: Booker T. Washington. Bethel was first organized as a community church, with members of several denominations. A dispute arose when one group wanted the church to become one

denomination. This caused a split, but Bethel Church remained. The membership grew

and the physical site remained the same. Bethel was formally organized at its present

location on 414 11th Street, the second Sunday in April 1938, as a Baptist church. The

original members were George Lightfoot and his wife Lizzie, P.M. Williams and his wife

Sara, James Palmer and his wife Roberta, Coleman Whitlow and Pete Robinson.

The original building that was relocated on 414 11th Street was destroyed in a fire in the

early 50's and all was lost. The present building was erected under the leadership of

Rev. W.R. Ockletree. .A part of the church&#structure was rebuilt with Booker T.

Washington School cafeteria building.

Bethel Baptist Church has given birth to five (5) ministers of the gospel. The Rev.

Vernon Spenser (Past Pastor of Mt. Olive Baptist Church - deceased), Rev. Melvin

Brooks (Pastor of St. Stephens Baptist Church), Rev. James Warren (Pastor of New

Light Baptist church, Dalhart - deceased), Rev. Carl Taylor (Borger, Texas) and Rev.

Victor Brooks (Houston, Texas). Bethel past pastors include such men as Rev. Cleveland who re-organized the church, Rev. Castle and Rev. Green who pastured Bethel twice. Rev. Curcie, Rev.

MacFarland, Rev. A.L. Patrick, Rev. Ockletree, Rev. Gipson, Rey. Blakemore, Rev.

Thomas, Rev. Reagans and Rev. E.J. Patterson. Rev. Thomas D Sands and current Pastor Tyrone Wesley