Mount Gilead Baptist Church, a historic institution in Fort Worth, Texas, held its final service in its downtown location on May 31. Established in the 19th century by a pastor and 12 formerly enslaved individuals, the church has been a significant cultural and spiritual hub for the African American community in Fort Worth.
The congregation gathered for a farewell service in the neoclassical red brick building, which has been a place of worship and community gathering since 1912. The decision to sell the building came after it was listed on Historic Fort Worth’s 2025 Most Endangered Places. The church is in the process of being sold to Airport Field Services LLC for $1.9 million, and members have been worshipping at the William M. McDonald YMCA since February.
During the service, Pastor Lorenzo Jones IV emphasized that the day was not one of mourning but a celebration of the church’s legacy and the enduring presence of God with the congregation. “God resides in the people, and that’s where the church is,” Jones proclaimed, highlighting the church’s resilience through historical challenges such as the Great Depression and the Civil Rights Movement.
The service was attended by notable Fort Worth leaders, including a state senator and city council members, reflecting the church’s influence in the community. Among the attendees was Michele McGregor, a former youth director and granddaughter of the church’s longest-serving pastor, Rev. Christopher C. Harper. McGregor shared her emotional connection to the church, recalling family memories and the church’s role as a community center during times of racial segregation.
Another long-time member, Estella Williams, reflected on the church’s impact on her life, from her marriage to her involvement with the NAACP, where she now serves as the Fort Worth chapter president. “My whole foundation from home stems here,” Williams stated, underscoring the church’s role in shaping her personal and civic life.
As the service concluded, Pastor Jones invited all church members to join him at the front, symbolizing the unity and continuity of the congregation despite the physical move. Congregants lingered to exchange farewells and capture memories of the historic space, standing at the threshold of their past and future.
Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.
