El Segundo Barrio in El Paso in El Paso County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Second Baptist Church

Photographed by James Hulse, July 22, 2024

1. Second Baptist Church Marker

Inscription. The Baptist Home Mission Board of New York established Second Baptist Church of El Paso in 1884 under the leadership of Reverend E.M. Griggs. Initially it had just five members - George Duvall, Thomas Gaines, Calvin Neal, and Mr. and Mrs. Joe Pollard - but it soon became the religious and cultural center of El Paso's African American community. The church has always been located in the downtown area. The first home of the congregation was a rented one-room adobe house on South Stanton Street between San Antonio Avenue and Overton Street. In 1888, a frame building was erected on Utah Street to become the new, larger home of the church. Reverend J.T. Hill oversaw construction of the current church, a Gothic Revival style brick sanctuary, on Virginia Street between 1903 and 1907. The building was nearly destroyed by fire in 1969 but was completely restored the next year. It became a city of El Paso landmark in 1981.

The Second Baptist congregation has played a prominent role in El Paso's small, vibrant African American community for more than a century. Leona Washington (1928-2007) was a teacher, activist and founder of the McCall neighborhood center. Olalee McCall (1890-1957) was the first female principal of the Douglass Grammar and High School. L.B. Adams was the longest-serving reverend of the church, preaching from 1952 to 1970. He played a key role in enhancing the stature and importance of the church within the community. The church still serves the community and preserves its spiritual heritage.

Erected 2019 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 22618.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1884.

Location. 31° 45.414′ N, 106° 28.801′ W. Marker is in El Paso, Texas, in El Paso County.

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It is in El Segundo Barrio. It is at the intersection of South Virginia Street and East Delta Drive, on the right when traveling south on South Virginia Street. The marker is located in front of the church building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 401 S Virginia St, El Paso TX 79901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Trans-Pecos & Big Bend Region.

It is also in the American Borderlands

and in the Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Votes for Women (approx. ¼ mile away); Robert Ewing Thomason (approx. 0.3 miles away); Nine of Primitive El Paso's Patriotic Heroes (approx. 0.4 miles away); Caples Building / Torre Caples (approx. 0.4 miles away); Magoffin Homestead (approx. 0.4 miles away); Singer Building (approx. 0.4 miles away); John Wesley Hardin

The entrance to the Second Baptist Church and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, July 22, 2024

2. The entrance to the Second Baptist Church and Marker

(approx. 0.4 miles away); Bowie High School (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in El Paso.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Magoffinsville (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

The view of the Second Baptist Church and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, July 22, 2024

3. The view of the Second Baptist Church and Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 26, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 431 times since then and 62 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 28, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.