We've Come This Far By Faith!

Macedonia's History

A People of Faith & A Ministry of Excellence

Humble Beginnings ~~ 1921-1972

In 1921 eight Christians met on the Southside of Fort Worth for the purpose of organizing a church. Among these members were Mrs. Josie Williams, Rev. and Mrs. J. Gooley, Rev. W.H. Brown and Mrs. Hollie Brown. This Church was first located in a house at 300 Mayflower Street. The congregation after a short time moved its services around the corner to 908 Crawford Street, the property it later purchased. These services were held on the first floor of an old two story house. Mrs. Josie Williams, one of the charter members and her family lived on the second floor. A present member of Macedonia, Mrs. Ruby Williams, was born in that house. The first pastors of the Church were the Reverends L. Williams, J. Goodley, J.W. Ruff, and W.M. Bowden. The Congregation was still worshiping in this old house when the Reverend W.L. Brown was called as the Pastor, February, 1926. At the time Rev. W.L. Brown was pastoring a small Church, New Hope Baptist, which was meeting on Twombly Street in a building used also by another Church congregation. Rev. Brown consented to accept the pastorate of Macedonia if the two church congregations, Macedonia and New Hope, would merge. It was voted and passed; the churches merged and became the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church. Rev. Brown began checking the records soon after he became pastor and found that the Church had never been exempted from taxes. After a trip to Austin, Texas this oversight was corrected. He then began talking about a building because the present one was leaking and unsuited for worship. While preparing for building, the place for Worship services moved many times. This was during the Depression and money was scarce. It also seemed that something always went wrong. At one time a building was shared with the Holiness Church on Bryan Street. Rev. Lyons was the pastor of that church. The Congregation moved its services from there to South Main Street to a shack in the Muse woodyard. The growing membership soon outgrew this facility. The place of Worship was then moved to the 1300 block of Bryan Street where a Rev. Smith was getting food from the Welfare Department and feeding hungry people. When the officials of the City Health Department found out about this arrangement, Rev. Smith was told he could not have church and feed people in the same building. The Worship services were then moved back to the Holiness Church on Bryan Street.

Following the Depression in the early 30’s the Congregation purchased a church building in Glen Garden to have moved to its property on Crawford Street. The man that was paid to move the building left town with the money. Money was tight and the Congregation did not have additional money to have its building moved. Rev. Brown mentioned to a friend, Rev. Tucker Jones, the problems the Church was having. Rev. Jones informed him that a Mr. Baughmon might be able to help by lending the Church the money. He then took Rev. Brown to see Mr. Baughmon who God, in His Infinite Wisdom and Mercy, had already reached. The loan was made, the building moved and remodeled. It was a glorious time for the members when they moved into their new Church home. The trials and tribulations seemed to have strengthened Rev. Brown’s trust in God. He was preaching out of his soul and many new souls were saved and added to the Church roll. The Church began to grow and soon grew out of this building. In 1942, the Congregation began to buy bricks and look forward to a Church expansion. The Deacon and Members worked very hard under the fine leadership of Rev. Brown and completed the expansion and paid for it. This expansion included a Choir room and the choir no longer had to march in from the outside, and Rev. Brown also moved his office inside from under the shade trees behind the church. Indoor plumbing was also an added feature. The next big accomplishment was to build a modern five room parsonage for the pastor and his family. This building was located at 3008 Van Horn Street in the Riverside area. In 1962 the Congregation wanted to show their gratitude and love to Rev. Brown for 36 years of faithful service. This gratitude and love was expressed by deeding the Church Parsonage to him. After the church moved to the South Side, Rev. Brown was uncomfortable traveling on the Freeways, so he and his wife, Mrs. Bertha Brown, decided to purchase a home in the Morningside area near the Church. Many members and citizens of Fort Worth are home owners today because of the wise counseling of Rev. Brown. His teaching and guidance went beyond the spiritual needs of the people.

On the Third Sunday in July, 1964, Rev. W.L. Brown brought to the Congregation the plan to purchase the present Church building at 2712 South Freeway and Morningside Drive. The Congregation agreed unanimously to purchase this building. The Pastor and members went to inspect the building and were impressed with it. The following Sunday, Rev. Brown informed the congregation that $500.00 per Sunday would have to be raised in order to have the down payment. He set up a building fund and asked 50 members to pledge $10.00 per month each to that fund. He also explained an insurance plan where as the Church would insure its young members 20 to 40 years old, pay the premiums and be the beneficiary in case of death. Many of the young people agreed to this plan. It was initiated, but was discontinued after about a year because of misunderstandings and discontent among the members. The church never really benefited from this plan. The following members gave $100.00 each on the purchase of the new building: Rev. W.L. Brown, Rev. D.J. Jackson, James Jackson, Jr., Porter Waters and Early Barnes. On Wednesday Night, August 16, 1964 in a call meeting the members were informed by Rev. Brown that representatives from TRICO, the company through which the Church was trying to secure a loan, were present and wanted to see the membership roll. Also the young people that had agreed to the insurance plan signed the papers that night. On the Fifth Sunday in August, 1964 Rev. Brown announced to the Congregation that the loan had been secured and the church purchased for $72,000.00. The loan was secured from TRICO Company, Arlington, Texas and was later sold to, McKenzie & McKenzie in Bryant, Texas. The members met September 1, 1964 to prepare for the big move. On Wednesday night, September 2, 1964 the first Prayer Meeting and Teachers’ Meeting were held in the new church. Sunday, September 6, 1964 the first regular worship service was held. The first two people to unite with the Church at this location were Mrs. Sara Fernandez and Mr. M.A. Denson. The first two people baptized were Joyce Ann Oliver and Rayford Thompson. The Church had a parking area 300 x 300, a spacious auditorium that will seat 700, separate class rooms, kitchen, fellowship hail, convertible dining room, and nursery facilities. In December 1966, Rev. Brown had a vision of a prayer room in the church. Upon awakening he told his wife, Mrs. Bertha L. Brown, and a member of the congregation, Mrs. Laree Paul, of his dream. He asked their opinion for making it a reality. After much work and discussing the Prayer room was opened the Fourth Sunday in January, 1966. In 1968 air conditioning and heating units were installed. In 1970 new carpet was installed. A new roof was purchased by the Brotherhood and cushions for the pews were purchased by the Missionary Society.

Rev. William Lincoln Brown faithfully served the pastorate of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church from February, 1926 until his death, January 27, 1972.

By Ruby Williams, Daughter of a Charter Member

Growing Through Change ~~ 1972-1999

Looking to the Future ~~ 1999-Present