South Side in Houston in Harris County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Greater Zion Missionary Baptist Church
Members of Greater Zion Missionary Baptist Church have served residents of Houston’s Greater Third Ward since the late 1800s. Tradition holds that the Rev. Gilbert Green and several area residents organized the church, which first met under a brush arbor at this location. The Rev. Green was the first pastor of what was then known as Little Zion Missionary Baptist Church.
Early pastors encouraged growth in the African American congregation, whose members often had to work in very low-paying jobs. Soon, the congregation turned toward serving the Greater Third Ward. Community programs flourished, particularly under the Rev. Moses Leonard Price, the longest serving pastor for the church (1938-1984). The Rev. Price was involved in numerous community, social and religious organizations. He focused the members’ time and resources especially toward educational programs. Under his pastorate, the church opened a kindergarten, started a scholarship fund and implemented the summer enrichment program to offer tutoring for area students. After building the current sanctuary on the adjacent block in 1958, the church opened an educational building on its former site. Members have also run a food pantry, offered donations to the needy and developed a program to build affordable homes in the neighborhood.
Besides the church’s pastors, a number of members have been vital community leaders. Several former members have also become pastors of other churches. Today, Greater Zion Missionary Baptist Church continues to serve as a spiritual, social, cultural and economic leader in Houston.
Erected 2008 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 15130.)
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion.
Location. 29° 44.191′ N, 95° 21.159′ W. Marker is in Houston, Texas, in Harris County. It is in the South Side. Memorial is at the intersection of Trulley Street and Tiesester Street, on the left when traveling west on Trulley Street. The marker is located to the right side of the main entrance of the church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3202 Trulley Street, Houston TX 77004, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Blue Triangle Branch, Y.W.C.A. Building (approx. 0.3 miles away); Fourth Missionary Baptist Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); Dr. Benjamin Jesse Covington and the Covington House (approx. half a mile away); Trinity East United Methodist Church (approx. half a mile away); Grand Court Order of Calanthe of Texas (approx. 0.6 miles away); Jordan Grove Missionary Baptist Church (approx. 0.6 miles away); St. John Missionary Baptist Church (approx. 0.6 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 18, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 159 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 18, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.