Our charter Members
Our Pastors
1930 – Reverend T. E. George
1930 – Reverend J. S. Hansborough
1940 – J. L. Harris
1945 – Reverend S. A.
1947 – 1956 – Reverend Harold T. Branch
1958 – 1978 – Reverend Milton C. Arnold
1979 – PRESENT Reverend Milton C. Walker, Sr.
History Highlights
February 1927 – Twenty-four of God’s servants, who were then members if the Pilgrim Home Baptist Church, organized a new fellowship in East Austin at 2007 Whittier Street. Sister Roberta Body suggested that the new fellowship be named the Nineteenth Street Baptist Church. The Reverend R. B. Canady, the former Pastor of Pilgrim Home Baptist Church, was called to Pastor this newly organized fellowship. Under his leadership the membership grew from twenty-four members to over two hundred.
1948 – The mortgage was paid in full. The original church which faced Comal Street was redesigned to become the fellowship hall and offices.
1949 – And adjoining lot was purchased for parking and further expansion of the Church.
Spring 1952 – The Church voted to launch a Building Fund Drive for the purpose of building a new sanctuary. On the first Sunday in August, 1952 the groundbreaking service was held.
December 1952 – The members entered into a new sanctuary that faced East Nineteenth Street (now known as East Martin Luther King, Jr.).
1979 – The old parsonage was sold and a new parsonage was purchased at 3814 Half Penny Street.
July 1979 – Reverend Milton C. Walker, Sr. was called to pastor the Church.
1992 – The property located at 1500 East Martin Luther Kind, Jr. Boulevard was sold to the University of Texas at Austin.
September 1992 – The church purchased the property at 3401 Rogge Lane.
October 1992 – The membership caravanned from 1500 East Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to 3401 Rogge Lane, debt free.
Spring 1993 – Plans were drawn for the addition of a balcony and the enlargement of the restroom facilities.
April 1994 – The renovations were completed and the balcony was opened.
1995 – The parsonage at 3814 Half Penny Lane was sold and a new parsonage at 1004 Wisteria Lane was purchased.
1997 – Pastor Walker shared the vision given him by the Holy Spirit to build a Family Life Center, renovate the Church and expand the sanctuary. The membership unanimously voted to move forward to make this vision a reality. A Pledge System was designed to raise the funds necessary for this undertaking. The membership, under the leadership of Pastor Walker and the Deacons, determined that the construction should be completed in phases. Phase I – a Family Life Center with two floors. The first floor would be completed and should include classrooms, restrooms and a gymnasium. Phase II – the completion of the second floor. Phase III – the renovation and expansion of the sanctuary and the administrative wing.
2000 – To accommodate the needs of the growing congregation, an Early Morning Worship Service was added to the Church Order of Worship beginning at 7:30 a.m. A new baby grand piano was purchased for the sanctuary.
April 2001 – Negotiations were begun with L. S. Johnson and Associated to design Phase I of the Family Life Center. Bids were opened on October 30, 2001 and the contract was awarded to Perry & Perry Builders. December 9, 2001 the groundbreaking ceremony was held.
October 3, 2002 – The Certificate of Occupancy was presented by the City of Austin. The facility was ready for entry on November 18, 2002.
January 12, 2003 – The Family Life Center was dedicated with great joy and jubilation. The first basketball was blessed. Reverend Joseph Parker, Pastor of David Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, and with Deacon Cyril Friday, Youth Ministry Director, the Youth Ministry tossed the first ball. During the Dedication Service, the members named the Family Life Center, the M. C. Walker Family Life Center, as a testament of his Holy Spirit directed vision, his humble spirit, and great leadership.
2010 – The Parsonage at 1004 Wisteria Lane burned. With God’s grace and blessing, the Pastor and his family were not injured. The Church purchased a new parsonage.
2016 – The note for the Family Life Center is paid in full