Henry C. Gregory, III (1935 July 31 – 1990 April 29) received a B.A. from Howard University and his preaching license in 1957. He graduated from Drew University’s School of Theology in 1959 and completed post-graduate courses at Harvard University and Oxford University. During the 1960s, he served congregations in Virginia in assistant and leadership roles. In 1972, Rev. Gregory was called to Shiloh Baptist Church in Washington, D.C.

Shiloh, since its founding in 1863, has been one of the leading congregations of Black Baptists in the Washington D.C. area. In addition to being the church home for many outstanding citizens in the community, it has hosted a number of prominent national figures such as Martin Luther King, Jr., W. E. B. DuBois, Paul Lawrence Dunbar, and a host of U. S. Presidents and government officials. The church experienced significant growth under Rev. Gregory’s leadership in the 1970s and 1980s. Whereas he was a highly regarded speaker and preacher, holding leadership positions in various national religious organizations including the National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., Gregory’s vision of the church as “family” guided several ministry initiatives. Membership grew to over 5,000 members during his tenure. Rev. Gregory worked tirelessly to make effective connections between preaching and social ministries until his health began to decline in 1989.

Rev. Dr. Caesar Arthur Walter (C.A.W.) Clark, Sr. (1914 December 13 – 2008 July 27) was a highly regarded preacher and orator. He started preaching at 13 years old and was ordained in 1933. Rev. Clark was a circuit preacher to several rural Louisiana churches at the start of his ministry. He pastored Little Union Baptist Church in Shreveport (1936-1947) while earning a B.A. degree from Bishop College in 1946. In 1950, he became the pastor of Good Street Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, a position he held for 58 years.

Clark served as President of the Baptist Missionary and Education State Convention of Texas, President of the Missionary Baptist Association of Texas, editor of The National Baptist Voice, and Vice President of the National Baptist Convention. Active in civic and social matters, he served as President of the Dallas NAACP branch and served on the Citizens Memorial to John F. Kennedy following the president’s assassination. Recognized by peers as a “dean of preachers,” his distinctive and precise delivery was admired by many preachers and dignitaries such as Rev. Jesse Jackson and Rev. William Harvey. His work in the community and in ministry were honored by the naming of the Dr. Caesar A. W. Clark Post Office building in Dallas.

Founded in 1874 by a former slave, the St. James United Methodist Church held services near the Brazos River until they built their first building in 1889. By the mid-1920s, the congregation settled into the church building at the intersection of Second and Clay Streets which was their permanent home until 2016. As one of the earliest Black churches in Waco, St. James was a benevolent corporate body and leader in the areas of education and civic engagement. As the church grew and sustained a good number of members through the twentieth century, so did its status as being at the center of social and educational affairs for Black Wacoans.

Historical documentation efforts in the later decades of the twentieth century, led by Lonnie B. Hodges, were instrumental in the church/building being awarded a Texas Historical Marker in 1986 and the founding of the church’s Historical Center. The Center worked to preserve records, memorabilia, and photographs that would eventually serve as the foundation of this collection. Membership began to decline in the twenty-first century, and the church ultimately held a deconsecrating service for the Second and Clay Street building in 2016.

In addition to church anniversary programs that date from the 1960s and 1970s, this digital collection features a historical account published by the church, entitled The History of St. James United Methodist Church. This collection also highlights many photographs of Black military servicemen and women; some of the individuals have direct ties to the church or its congregants. A selected person of emphasis is Joseph Smith (J. S.) Henry, a leading figure in Waco’s educational and civic affairs in the for over four decades. This collection contains programs, photographs, and clippings related to his life and career.