San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-10-11

! own city and from Austin.
added to the church and more than
S25,o0 was collected and expended
in church missionary and benevolent
work. During his pastorate the Sun
set Baptist Church (now known as
Calvary Baptist Church, was organ
lied on the 18th of April, A. d. 1891.
by certain members who went out fro'n
this church, and in September of the
same year this church conveyed to the
newly organized church, free of cost.
the house and lot in which they wcry'
then worshiping.
The South Flores Street Baptist
Church (now known as the Central
Baptist Church, was likewise organ
lied in November, 1892, by certain
members who went out from this
church, and in August. 1898, the
mother church presented to this new
daughter, also free of cost, deed to
the house and lot where they were then
worshiping.
In the month of May 1891, the mis-
sion property, near the I.-G. n. depot.
which this church had acquired in
1881, was traded or exchanged, for
lot and house of worship on West
Commerce street on Prospect Hill, and
in this new property the church since
known as the Prospect Hill Baptist
Church, was organized on September
10. 1891. One year later, in 1892,
the mother church as had been her
custom, presented to this. her third
daughter, free of cost, n deed to the
property occupied by said new church.
DIR. King resigned the care of this
church in 1897, to accept n call to the
First Baptist Church of Mckinney,
Collin county, Texas.
COWBOY BREACHES"
In the year 1897, this church called
as its pastor Rev. A. J. Harris. then
widely known as the Cowboy Preach
or. His labors among US extended
over period of eight years. On June
D, 1901, this church decided by vote
to become incorporated under the laws
of the state Of Texas; and on October
2, 1901, adopted a charter and elected
board of trustees. On October 20,
1901. the church, by vote, decided to
purchase two lots at the northwest
corner Of Fourth and Taylor streets,
and to proceed at once to build new
house of worship thereon. Said lots
were purchased, and on Thursday,
February 20, 1902, ground was brok-
en- for the new house of worship for
the First Baptist church. The build
ing was completed in the spring of
1905. Just a few months before the
building was ready TO be occupied,
Brother Harris resigned and moved to
North Texas. In the early spring of
1905, this church called as its pastor,
Rev. c. c. Coleman, a young man. in
years scarcely more than a boy, but
endowed with rare capacity, and won
derful powers of constructive Organi'
cation. Perhaps no other pastor in
the history of this church has ever
done more than he, in the way Of dis
covering this church to itself, and in
developing its latent powers and posi-
bilities. A confirmation of this state
ment will be seen by comparing some
figures contained in our associational
letters for the years 1903 and 1908.
GATES NOW PASTOR.
Soon after DIR. Porter had resigned
the care of this church to accept call
to the First BAPTIST church of Okla
homa City, Okla, DR.. i. z. Gates
was called to the paStorate of the
church, and entered upon bis duties
as pastor in January, 1919, and has
continued to serve the church in that
capacity until the present time. 1t is
doubtful il this church ever had n pas.
tor who was more generally beloved
by his congregation, or who was more
popular as a speaker. Large crowds
have continually gathered TO hear
him preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The church has grown in numbers
and in effectiveness, and he himself
has grown in moral and spiritual
power, as the Yeas have passed, thus
enabling him to maintain his leader
ship with undated freshness and ef-
ficiency. He is fundamentals and
breaches the gospel of blood atone
mcnt, and salvation by grace. So
great have been the crowds attend
ing upon his ministry that it became
evident that il this church was 10
continue TO grow it would have 10
build a new and more commod:ous
house of worship to accommodate the
people. Therefore, in April, 1923. this
church bought three lots on the north
east corner Of Fourth and Taylor
streets. just across Taylor street from
the building in which We have been
worshipping since the spring of 1908.
In 1884 there was but one little
Baptist church in San Antonio: today
by the grace of God there arc sixteen,
not including two Mexican churches,
one German church and one Chinese
church. Then, this church had scarce
ly more than hundred members; TO-
day it has on its roll the names OF
about three thousand members. Truly
''the Lord hath done great things for
us, whereof we are glad" And surely
we can say with Goi:IH prophets of OLD