Acres Homes in Houston in Harris County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Greater Ward A.M.E. Church
Greater Ward African Methodist Episcopal Church (Ward Chapel A.M.E. Church until 1972; then Greater Ward Chapel A.M.E. Church, 1972-2007) is the oldest congregation of its kind in the Acres Homes Community, located ten miles north of downtown Houston. Ward Chapel A.M.E. Church was organized in February 1913 and named in honor of Bishop Thomas M.D. Ward, the tenth bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The first place of worship was in the home of Rev. John T. Williams and his wife, Cassie, on what is now Tuskegee Street at Holly Street. In 1919, the Wright Land Company donated two lots on Apollo Street near Galilee Missionary Baptist Church, but the congregation opted to build on the west side of Arabella at Granville Street. After a 1934 fire, a new structure was erected there in 1935. The sanctuary on the east side of Arabella was erected in 1955, following a major building campaign.
Rev. Ollie Lewis Dawson, one of the congregation’s longest-serving ministers, was a community activist and used the church as a meeting place to discuss social and civic matters. He was active with the NAACP, Acres Homes Church Union, A.M.E. Ministers Alliance and many other organizations. The church had numerous ministries, including several choirs, the Daughters of Ward, the Allen Christian League and vacation bible school. Ferguson Way was named for trustee Rendy Ann Johnson Ferguson. Trustee Wiley Adams successfully petitioned county officials to name nearby Tuskegee, Wilberforce, Paul Quinn and Dillard Streets in honor of historically black colleges and universities. The church continues to be a source of guidance and support for the Acres Homes Community.
Erected 2015 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 18171.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1913.
Location. 29° 51.777′ N, 95° 25.507′ W. Marker is in Houston, Texas, in Harris County. It is in Acres Homes. Marker is at the intersection of Arabella Street and Granville Drive, on the right when traveling north on Arabella Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6822 Arabella Street, Houston TX 77091, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Acres Homes Community (approx. 0.2 miles away); Galilee Missionary Baptist Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Rest Lawn Cemetery (approx. one mile away); George Washington Carver High School (approx. 1.3 miles away); St. John United Church (approx. 2.9 miles away); Booker T. Washington High School (approx. 3.3 miles away); Independence Heights (approx. 3½ miles away); Houston Heights Woman's Club (approx. 4.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Houston.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 10, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 284 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 10, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.