Northside in Houston in Harris County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Payne Chapel A.M.E. Church

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, June 1, 2025

1. Payne Chapel A.M.E. Church Marker

Inscription. Payne Chapel A.M.E. is a historic congregation and an anchor in Houston’s Fifth Ward. The church probably began in 1886 with a small group of people meeting in the home of Minerva Wells. It was the first African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) church in the Fifth Ward, although several existed in Houston’s other wards. Member James Calvin Lindsey named the church for Daniel Alexander Payne (1811-1893), the sixth bishop of the A.M.E. church. A circuit pastor possibly served the church in its earliest days. The first known pastor was Henry B. Sonly (b. 1866), appointed in 1896. The Reverend James B. Butler (b. 1874) led the church as they built their first building at 1517 Hill Street. When the church grew, a new building was needed. In 1919, under the direction of the Rev. Jesse C. Butler (b. 1879), the church purchased an existing wood frame church building at 2701 Lee and a parsonage at 2709 Lee. Several remodels took place over the following decades.

In 1950, the most extensive renovations began. Renowned architect Ralph M. Buffington (1907-2003) designed a 700-seat sanctuary and educational spaces. Additional expansions

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occurred in the 1960s and 1970s. Some of Houston’s most prominent city leaders, business persons and educators were members of the church, including Julia C. Hester and Henry Clay. In 1986, the church held an extensive centennial celebration and hosted several church and civic leaders. The next few decades saw Payne Chapel A.M.E. dedicate itself to local community and education services. In the words of the church’s centennial proclamation, “The Payne Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church has weathered a century of tremendous change in the world yet remains a bastion of the Christian faith with an enthusiastic and devoted congregation.”

Erected 2022 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 23607.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1886.

Location. 29° 46.898′ N, 95° 20.564′ W. Marker is in Houston, Texas, in Harris County. It is in Northside. It is at the intersection of Lee Street and Davis Street, on the left when traveling east on Lee Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2701 Lee St,

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, June 1, 2025

2. Payne Chapel A.M.E. Church Marker

Houston TX 77026, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

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,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Frenchtown Community (approx. 0.3 miles away); Mount Vernon United Methodist Church (approx. half a mile away); Zydeco Music in Frenchtown (approx. 0.9 miles away); Peacock Records (approx. 0.9 miles away); John S. Hale House (approx. one mile away); William L. Shipp House (approx. 1.1 miles away); First Shilo Missionary Baptist Church (approx. 1.1 miles away); Frost Town (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Houston.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 3, 2025, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 144 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 3, 2025, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.