History

Memorial Drive Baptist Church was first conceived by the Executive Secretary of Union Baptist Association, Dr. Ross Dillon, who saw a large growing area in West Houston with no church for its Baptists. He sought the services of Dr. John J. Curtis to do a census of the area and to start a Baptist work there. In August of 1953 this task was begun.

When it was discovered in November 1953 that there were sufficient prospects to initiate a work, an initial meeting was held. Only six persons were able to attend this meeting, but they decided, nevertheless, to go ahead. Plans were laid for the first service to be held on January 11, 1954, in the home of Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Frederick. Twenty two persons were present. Three weeks later the first Sunday School meeting was held and the group moved to the Memorial Drive Elementary School.

An organization plan was finalized in May of 1954. The church was organized on May 16 with nineteen charter members at the home of now pastor, Dr. John Curtis. Later, six charter members were added to the roll. The Drew property of 2.774 acres was purchased in June and services were moved there. Construction of the current Fellowship Hall building was voted in May 1955, and the groundbreaking ceremony took place on the first anniversary of the church.

Total cost of this first unit was $50,000, furnished and completed. Financing was accomplished with gifts and pledges along with an issue of Broadway Plan Bonds in the amount of fifty thousand dollars. At the time of the formal dedication of this first unit on March 4, 1956, $17,750 of this issue was outstanding, and $15,000 had been borrowed from the Spring Branch State Bank, to finish the building. Persons desiring these bonds contacted the Church Treasurer, R. C. Frederick.

The first unit incorporated 7,546 sq. ft. under its roof. The sanctuary was 28 x 94 feet overall, with a permanent seating capacity of 224. There was additional space at the rear for 75 folding chairs. Classrooms were composed of two suites of four rooms each, which housed a fully graded nursery and beginner department of 50 pupils. A kitchen was equipped with surface electric cooking units, an electric oven, a refrigerator, and a dishwasher. The air conditioning was rated at 15 tons capacity with provision for an additional 10 tons in the future. The cooling tower had a 25 ton capacity.

The Building Committee Chairman was Roy J. Chappell, Jr. Committee members were E. P. Dobson, Jr., Mrs. E. P. Dobson, Jr., C. A. Greene, C. R. Newlin, R. F. Peterson, M. L. Randolph, B. C. Richardson, Mrs. M. L. Stone and S. P. Wunsch. Architects were E. P. Dobson, Jr., Herb Green, and R. L. Reid.

On July 23, 1961, the present sanctuary was dedicated. In April, 1963, additional adjoining land, with two more houses, was acquired. The church then owned a little more than ten acres of land. A two story educational and office building was erected in 1966. The children's building was constructed at the same time. Appraised value of the buildings and ground was well over a million dollars.

Memorial Drive had two pastors during these years. Rev. Al Novak was pastor from 1959 until 1962. Dr. Don Berry was called in 1963 and served until 1970.

During the late 60's and early 70's the church focused on growth and expansion: growth in membership and outreach and expansion of ministries which would impact human lives. The average Sunday School attendance in 1968 was 295 and the annual budget for 1968 was $101,608 and average attendance in 1972 was 192 and the annual budget for 1972 was $92,365.

Memorial Drive was birthed at an exciting time in Baptist life. The SBC and BGCT, acting in harmony, had established organization structures for fostering the musical development of congregations. Church music changed dramatically during our second decade. Youth musicals such as Good News and Tell It Like It Is gave our youth expression to their faith through contemporary sounds. Out of our youth group, on record as having approximately 200 on roll in the early 1970's, some 25 young people performed the musicals.

Beginning in 1979 Memorial Drive shared its facilities with Seoul (Korean) Baptist Church. They supported their own full-time pastor who led them in regular services and activities in the Korean language. They had their own budget and contributed $300 per month to Memorial Drive for utilities, literature, etc. Their pre-schoolers, children and youth participated in our Sunday School and other activities. There were joint services periodically; also banquets and other activities were shared.

During this time, the children's building was used during the week to house a day care center. Approximately 50 children were cared for each day in this program. The education program included a graded Sunday School, one adult church training class, two youth church training classes and a regular Bible Study on Wednesdays.

The only active missions organization was a G.A. group. Other mission activities were handled by the Missions Committee. A Vietnam refugee family was sponsored by Memorial Drive during this time.

Under the leadership of Pastor William Pratt, the church began pledging on a debt retirement campaign, with the Victory Sunday being April 20, 1975. The Victory Goal was $110,000 in pledges to be paid over a three-year period. The Challenge Goal was $150,000. The Steering Committee was Kelly Williams, Director, Mildred Cornelius, Hilda Moffett, Weldon Humble, Jo Mayo, Cape DeWitt, Ken Morris, Bill Pratt, Richard Parrish and Albert Smith.

In 1977 part of the acreage (about 5 acres) was sold to neighboring St. Francis Episcopal Church for its athletic activities expansion. At the time there was a house on the south side of the grounds which was used primarily for ministerial staff housing.

Reflective of the varied project approach to ministries in the 1970's, the church engaged in several interesting ventures during this period, such as the Coffee House Ministry led by Keith Coneby, the Baptist Mission Center, involvement in the BGCT River Ministry, the Pre-Kindergarten School, a Day Care Center and the All-Church Round-up. Elene Hillier was principal of the English Language School which provided English language training to the women of Seoul Baptist Church.

While continuing in the pattern of excellence established for the Sanctuary Choir, ministers of music Joe Keith, Rich McKinney, Jack Haye and Dr. Robert Reid have led the choir and church to experience various new forms of sacred music that are a sampling of the burgeoning Contemporary Christian Music. A handbell choir has enhanced worship since the donation of the 5-octave set.

Memorial Drive has seen missionaries go from it's fellowship to mission fields in Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia and South America. Other members have become full-time ministers. Many members have taken responsibilities in Union Baptist Association.

Under the leadership of Pastor Ron Madison, the emphasis was on outreach and evangelism. In November, 1981, Memorial Drive participated in the Houston-Gulf Coast Billy Graham Crusade. The church rented buses and took 135 persons to the crusade in the Rice Stadium. In April, 1982, the church had a revival with the theme of “Listen Now. Hear Forever.” Dr. Len Turner was the evangelist and Rev. Reg Madison was the musician. The pastor also led a team on a mission trip to Brazil in May, 1982. The team members were Ron and Charlotte Madison, Carl Cavender, Bob Bryant, Connie Vernon, Etna Riehl and Ralph Carlson.

The church embarked on an aggressive missions program under the leadership of Bill Heston. In cooperation with the BGCT, the church called Keith Henson as Minister of Missions. An apartment ministry was started in the Stoney Brook Apartments. Services in the Treemont Retirement Center began under the leadership of Rich McKinney, Marc and Susan Schwartz and Mary Kana. With a strong desire to minister in practical ways, the church opened it doors to 12-step recovery groups led by Sally Gaines.

When Bill Heston accepted a position with First Baptist Church, Houston, in 1989, Dr. Robert Newell left his position at Houston Baptist University to serve full-time as our pastor. During Bob's tenure, he led Memorial Drive to engage in Habitat for Humanity activities, to renovate the Fellowship Hall and the staff house, to initiate a strategic planning process ('96 NOW), to ordain women as deacons, and to provide for choice in cooperative missions giving. Dan and Gretchen Sowell were commissioned missionaries to Zambia. A Children's Director (Lesa Jensen) was added to the staff. Financial contributions were increased over 20%.

In November, 1996, the pastor led a team of eleven on a mission trip to the International Baptist Theological Seminary in Prague, the Czech Republic. The team did work projects both indoors and outdoors of the facilities. A second team of five went to Macedonia in August, 2000, where they built a house and repaired another under the missionary leadership of Arville and Shelia Earle. A third team of six went on a mission trip to Kosova to work with missionaries Ken and Melody Morris on August 22-September 8, 2001. The trips to Macedonia and Kosova led to a ministry to local Albanians who came to Houston because of the war in their homeland.

Bob and Janice Newell were commissioned by Memorial Drive on August 24, 2003 as missionaries to Athens, Greece to work with ethnic Albanians. The church was already active in seeking a new leader. During the process, the congregation was blessed to have Dr. Randy Hatchett as Interim Pastor. On January 18, 2004, Jim Doremus preached at Memorial Drive in view of a call. The vote was unanimous and Monday, February 9th was his first day.

Memorial Drive Baptist Church is currently undergoing major physical improvements; buildings are being remodeled and upgraded. Organizations are being evaluated and new methods are being used.

With new leadership and the dedication of a committed congregation, all led by the Spirit of Christ, the first 50 years is only a beginning. We have been truly blessed and that blessing is ours to share.