DAVID CHAPEL HISTORY
David Chapel was established in 1924 to encourage the spiritual uplift of the community. Our history reflects several significant eras of accomplishment in building a vibrant, loving church with a heart for the community.
The Blacksmith Shop Era, 1924-1926
Under the supervision of Rev. Ben Wroe and Rev. Connie Alexander David Chapel was formed as a church out of concern about boys playing marbles on Sunday. The first worship services were held in a blacksmith shop in the Ceiling Hills community (now Austin Bergstrom International Airport) in Travis County. Rev. L. M. Marshall was the first pastor.
The Move to the City Era, 1926-1958
When we moved to the city of Austin, a wooden tabernacle was erected at the corner of E. 14th and Chestnut Streets. Rev. S. L. Davis succeeded Rev. Marshall as pastor after Marshall's passing in 1937. Rev. E. G. Gibbs was called as pastor in 1940 and a stucco structure was built that same year in the place of the tabernacle. In 1948, Rev. W. I. Rector succeeded Rev. Gibbs and established the Week Day Church. In 1948, Rev. Rector died and Rev. J. L. Dawson was called as pastor later that year. The church outgrew its facilities and, in 1958, a larger site was purchased on the corner of E. 19th (now Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.) and Chestnut Streets. The planning, construction, and financing of the new edifice were provided by persons of African-American descent. The architect was John S. Chase (the first African American architecture graduate from the University of Texas at Austin); the contractor was Oliver B. Street; and the St. John Regular Baptist Association financed our building efforts.
The Expansion Era, 1959-1992
On the first Sunday in January 1959, the congregation moved to its new and current building, located at Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard and Chestnut Street. In October 1963, Rev. Dawson left for another pastorate. That same year Rev. James E. Obey, Sr. was called as pastor and arrived on the first Sunday in January 1964. Under Rev. Obey, many accomplishments were realized including the air-conditioning of the entire church plant, construction of a new parsonage and sponsorship of the Marshall apartments, a $1.2 million federal rent supplement housing project. Pastor Obey died on May 18, 1992.
The Envisioning Era, 1992 - today
In September 1992, Rev. Joseph C. Parker, Jr., Esq., was called as pastor. Prior to being called as pastor, Rev. Parker served as Associate Pastor Christian Education for nearly ten years. He is the first ministerial son of David Chapel to serve as pastor. Under Pastor Parker's leadership, the financial and facility management systems have been revised and we have adopted vision and mission statements. Our facilities have also been refurbished and expanded; in addition new properties have been purchased.
The church staff has been expanded to include an Executive Assistant to the Senior Pastor, Minister of Education and Ministries Development, Minister to Students, and Minister of Administration, Buildings and Grounds. As "a church with a heart for the community", David Chapel gives leadership to a Chestnut Neighborhood Plan which focuses on revitalizing the Chestnut neighborhood by focusing on public safety, housing, environmental infrastructure, economic development, youth, health, and human services. In 1999, we licensed our first woman to preach the gospel. In July 2000, our website was created and posted on the Internet and was selected as one of the Best Top 3 Church Web Sites for January 2001 by the Distinctive Church Collection and is included in its Hall of Fame. In 2002, we adopted a comprehensive five-year strategic plan.
Continuing in the pattern of the first century church, we study, hear, and do God's word. Seeking God's will and following the leadership and vision God has revealed to our pastor, this church - God's beacon - gives God all the Glory!
