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Early religious activities for African Americans in this area, many of whom arrived as employees of railroad companies, were conducted at a mission station, reportedly located under a mesquite tree, the Rev. William Green, a missionary for the Mount Zion Baptist Association, made frequent visits to deliver sermons at the site. In 1908, trustees for the Mount Zion Baptist Association purchased a plot of land for $265.00 and a building was erected to house services. On Easter Sunday, April 17, 1910, nine charter members officially formed the King Star Missionary Baptist Church, the first church for African Americans in Kingsville. The Rev. J. W. Brice, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Kingsville, gave the morning's sermon. The Rev. R. B. Shiner was called as first pastor. The church building was used as a school facility for the first African American children's classes in the Kingsville Independent School District. After 1912, at the request of church representatives, the school district began to pay rent of $5.oo per month for use of the building until a new facility was designated. Throughouth the 20th Century the King Star Baptist Church served the religious community of Kingsville in the 1950s church members participated in a program wherein both black and white congregations exchanged members once each month to further relations between local churches. The King Baptist Church continues to celebrate its dedication to worship and service to the community. (1998) |
