History of The Christian City Wide Brotherhood
The Beginning:
The City Wide Brotherhood Union was first known as the Southern Zone of the State Laymen’s League. The first call for men came December 1, 1941, after the General Baptist Convention of Texas organized us as a convention.
On December 10,1941 we held our first inspirational meeting at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church where Rev. R. T. Bingham served as Pastor. This was the same time the General Baptist Convention of Texas was entertained. There were six or seven churches represented at the meeting. It is well to note that Citywide Movement authorized by Rev. S. R. Prince, President of the General Baptist Convention of Texas under the supervision of the State Laymen League. Brother A. D. Pierott of Jerusalem Baptist Church was appointed Zone Leader and Bro. Ira Clark of St. John Baptist Church on Dowling was elected as the first President.
In January 1942, President Clark saw the necessity of a citywide movement of Laymen to supplement the work of the State and National Brotherhoods. A meeting composed of the key men of the local churches was called at St. John Baptist Church on Dowling Street. It was at this meeting that the Houston Citywide Laymen League was organized. It adopted the same purpose as that of the state Laymen League, namely: to enlist all men to support the whole program of the Church.
Bro. Ira Clark appointed his cabinet which consisted of Bro. Homer Scott, Jordan Grove, Vice President, Bro. Lester Hurks, Greater Mt. Olive, Vice President, Bro. J. L Hardeman, Damascus, Secretary, Bro. W.L. Rodgers, Ross Hill, Treasurer, Bro. F.D. Dinkins, St. John on Dowling, Teacher, Bro. Abe Maiden, Jerusalem, President of President’s Council, Bro. John Henry Davis, St. John on Gray, Vice President of President’s Council, Bro. Grover Norman, Progressive New Hope, Secretary of President’s Council and Bro. J. B. Bledsoe, Jerusalem, Asst. Secretary of President Council.
Due to a misunderstanding in 1943, the State Convention ordered the Citywide Unions to disband and were forbidden to collect money from any source. However, soon after that President G. L. Prince of the National Baptist Convention authorized the setting up of the Citywide Unions responsible to the National Baptist Brotherhood Union.
The Growth
From this small beginning, by the year 1955, Citywide Unions were organized in Ft. Worth, Dallas, San Antonio, Beaumont, and in other cities and towns across Texas. Also, Brotherhoods have been organized in New Orleans, Kansas, Missouri, Chicago, Los Angles, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Florida, Mexico, New York, New Jersey, and cities all over America and the Bahamas.
On July 6, 1992, Lenquest D. Clark, the independent executor of the estate of Ira L. Clark fulfilled and execute the will of Ira. L. Clark by way of a special warrant deed to deed the said property at 2420 Cleburne, Houston, Texas 77004, and all improvements to the Christian City-Wide Brotherhood.
The City Wide Brotherhood has had five presidents. Ira Clark, Co- Presidents Homer Scott and Lester Hurks, Wendell Neal, Lewis B. Waddell, and the present co-presidents Le Roy Johnson and Woodrow Thomas. The City-Wide has a rich history and has seen many men grow in the knowledge and saving grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.