GREATER WEBSTER CHAPEL AMEC

1903 - 1911

 

The groundwork for the organization of Webster Chapel was begun in 1903 by the Rev. E. Webster, who was the first pastor.  The services were held in a dwelling house on this present site.  The three room house was prepared by the Trustees of the church to be appropriate for services to be held.

 

The Trustees at that time were:  Bros. Tom Steen, James Harris, Dave Jones, Handy Kelly, and Preston Price.  It was Bro. Dave Jones who came up with the idea to name the church after Rev. Webster; and with that and the consent of the members that is how the church came to be known as Webster Chapel.

 

The next problem was how to raise the money to pay for this house.  The Stewardesses at that time being:  Sis. Mary Harris, Hannah James, Fannie Jones, Minnie Steen, Addie Bates and Handy Kelley, decided to sit on the roadside and sell plate lunches.  Over time they raised enough money to pay for all of the needed repairs.

 

After four years of hard labor under the pastorage of Rev. Webster, another minister was sent to this charge.

 

In 1907 came Rev. William Keith.  Under his administration, the dwelling house was converted into our first church.  At this time the property was willed to the African Methodist Episcopal Church, from the Guy King estate for the benefit of the ministers and the membership of the A.M.E. Church.  It was then recorded on page 148 volume 66 in the Gonzales County Courthouse records.  However, the members continued to work hard to pay for the indebtedness by having old fashioned box suppers on Saturday nights.

 

The original benches were handmade by Uncle Jack Wright, and were still in use until just several years ago.

 

In 1911 the first cornerstone was laid.  The Bishop at that time was the Right Rev. E. Tyree; the Presiding Elder was Rev. F.F. Washington; Trustees were Bros. Tom Steen, James Harris, Preston Price, P.H. Linsee, W.M. Linsee, Z. Conerway and George Adams.

 

Following Rev. Tyree, Rev. I.D. Coffee, was sent to Webster and served for a short term.

 

1912-1971

 

1912 to 1923, pastors were Rev. C.M. Hillard, Rev. Mack Allister, Rev. H.F. Cooper, Rev. H.F. Tyree, Rev. J.V. Edkins, Rev. Mosley, and Rev. O.H. Benns.

 

For the years of 1924 and 1925, the pastor was Rev. F.D. Hollaway.  The Trustees were Bros. Lee Robinson, Newt Hammon, Zilmon Hastings, W.J. Bigham, Moody Musgrove, George Adams, Ben Valentine, Tom Bates, and J.H. James.  Stewardesses were Sis. Harriet Irvin, Susie Lackey, Lizzie Brooks, Mary Adams, M.E. Franks, Annie Hammons, M.K. Bigham, Hannah James and Katherine Jackson.

 

The next year came Rev. H.L. Boyd, who only served for one year.  Rev. E.W. Morgan followed, serving for a period of three years.  The Presiding Elder was Rev. M.L. Pendegraff.  The previously named Trustees at that time continued to serve.

 

The years of 1925 to 1927 the Stewards were Bros. Steve James, Tom Bates, Cal Bates, Dave James, Dimp Musgrove, Sol Bates, and Willie Musgrove.

 

In 1928 Rev. E.A. Thomas came to the church to serve for two years.  During his period Sis. Annie Hammons and Sis. Hannah James purchased hanging lamps for the church from Boothe and Lewis Hardware Store.

 

From 1929 until the end of the 1930’s the pastors were Rev. O.W. Sample, A.F.D. Saddler, L.H. Richardson, B.F. Grovey, H. Green, E. Finch, and C.M. Coleman.

 

In 1939 under the pastorage of Rev. E.D. Dickerson, the old building was torn down and a new church was built.  In 1939 and 1940 under the pastorage of Rev. W.M. Moulden, the parsonage was turned from a two story building and converted into a one-story building.

 

In the 1940’s the pastors were Rev. A.L. Jefferson, F.D. Richardson, and Rev. Madaris.

 

In 1950 came Rev. R.E. Jefferson.  Under his administration, a small building was constructed in the back of the church which was used for the dining hall when District Meetings were entertained.

 

Additionally in the 1950’s pastors were Rev. M.C. Young, C.J. Pierce, J.L. Woodfaulk and J.E. Dickey whose life ended here while carrying on his work for the Lord.

 

In 1951 came Rev. M.C. Young.  At this time the Trustees were:  Bros. Charles Scallion, Van G. Spears, Edgar Stovall, Ira Heights and Isaac Moore, Sis. Goldie Bates, Anna Scallion, Ophelia Russell and Annie Jones.  Stewards were:  Bros. Robert Hammon, Willie Musgrove, James Valentine, Melvin Reed, Sr. and Ben Harper.  Bro. Robert Hammon was nominated as treasurer of the Trustee Board.

 

In 1959 the Rev. L.E. Ausbie was assigned to Webster Chapel.  Under his administration, we saw the need of a new building.  The old building was torn down and the new building was built.  While construction was going on services were held in the old commissary which was built by the Rev. R.E. Jefferson.  During this time we were surprised and very much inspired by a visit from our then Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Howard Thomas Primm, accompanied by the Rev. John Hurst Adams, former president of Paul Quinn College who was then serving as Bishop of the Texas area, the Tenth Episcopal District.  Rev. T.A. Steadham was the Presiding Elder, and the pastor was Rev. L.E. Ausbie.  Trustees were:  Bros. Van G. Spears, Robert Hammon, Lonnie Ollison, Jr., Melvin Reed, Sr., Felton Scallion, Sisters Mary Howard, and Maude Lindsay.  Rev. Ausbie served three successful years.

 

In 1962 Rev. A. T. Harris was assigned to Webster Chapel; in 1963 Rev. J.R. Roberts; in 1964 Rev, E.H. Harrell; in 1965 Rev. James Anderson; in 1966 Rev. James Williams.

 

In 1967 Rev. L.E. Tinnon was assigned to Webster Chapel and lightened our pathway and brought the church back up to its standings.  In 1968 he reorganized all boards and auxiliaries then everything was going really well both spiritually and financially.

 

Rev. E.E. Brown was assigned to Webster Chapel from 1969 to 1971.

 

1972-1999

 

In 1972 Rev. L.E. Tinnon was reassigned to Webster Chapel and progress was back on track.  The church interior was improved and new facilities were added.  The parsonage was also remodeled and all indebtedness was cleared.  Plans were put into action for the dining hall.  Things looked very dim and members began to slow down but through Rev. Tinnon’s prayers and good faith along with a handful of faithful members who ventured out to set forth great efforts to accomplish this very much needed addition, the Stewardess Sisters, along with President Minerva Harper and Assistant Sis. Olethia Tinnon assisted with the materials, furniture and many other things and the dining area was completed.  The last project was to mount the 73-year-old bell.  This effort was put forth by Bro. Felton Scallion, President of Steward Board #1.  His project was to set out a table each Sunday morning asking each member for a donation.  After raising a considerable amount, there was enough money to mount the bell and lay a walk at the main entrance and also one on the north side of the entrance of the church.  This work was done by Bro. Jeff Goode with Bro. Scallion assisting.  The Stewards at this time were:  Bros. Felton Scallion, John Stovall, Donald Ray Smith, Robert Scott and Lonnie Ollison, Jr., Sisters Shirley Taylor and Erma Steemer.  The Trustees were:  Bros. Alton Allen, Jr., Will F. Johnson, L.T. Lee and William Steemer, Sisters Mary Scallion, Maude Lindsay, and Elizabeth Allen.

 

From 1974 to 1989 pastors were:  Rev. J.N. Ferrell, Rev. Chinar Kelly, Rev. A.C. Burks, and Rev. Daniel Hughes.

 

From 1989 to 1995 Rev. Hilary H. Jones was assigned to Webster Chapel.  Rev. Jones served with the determination to bring Webster Chapel up and back in good standards and he did so with a handful of members who were striving to keep the church going.  He would often say “Don’t look back, let’s go forward because we are going to make this church a great church and at this point, the suggestion was put forth with the members agreeing and during the Annual Conference Webster Chapel became Greater Webster Chapel A.M.E. Church.  All indebtedness was cleared before Rev. Jones was transferred.

 

In the years, 1995 and 1996 Rev. Virgil L. Bell was assigned to Greater Webster Chapel.  In 1996 Rev. Roderick Cooper followed by Rev. Tonya Spellman the next year.

 

1999-Present

 

In 1999, Rev. Dredford Shuler was ordained by Rt. Rev. John R. Bryant and received his first charge appointment, which was to Greater Webster Chapel.  Upon his arrival at Greater Webster, many improvements were made.  In 2000 all structures were again leveled, windows were replaced and siding was added to protect the exterior.  The parsonage, which was no longer in use, was torn down to allow for more parking.  Over the years, the inside of the church was remodeled with the addition of separate personal facilities for the men and women being updated.  In 2007, a new, larger pastor’s study was added.

 

In September 2012, the church mourned to passing of their Pastor, Rev. Dredford Shuler, but the Lord had our back and saw fit at the Bishop’s Planning Meeting November 2012 to stir the heart of the Presiding Elder and Bishop McKenzie to send a new shepherd, Rev. Dr. Cephas Martin to lead the congregation to new visions.  He has brought Greater Webster into the digital age with a web-site, Facebook page, and sermons on YouTube.

As of the year 2017 Greater Webster Chapel A.M.E. Church is 114 years old with the Right Rev. Vashti Murphy McKenzie, Presiding Prelate (Bishop), Mr. Stan McKenzie Episcopal Supervisor, Rev. Dr. Ida Willis Keener, Presiding Elder and Rev. Dr. Cephas Martin, Pastor.  The congregation of Greater Webster Chapel has truly been blessed by God and looking forward to many more successful years.