This news article will explain the unique and mysterious history behind Lovers Leap Baptist Church in Waco, Texas. 
Lovers Leap Baptist Church was first established in 1865 as a religious organization with 5 employees in Cameron Park. Lovers Leap Baptist Church was an African American congregation. It was in 1865 that Lovers Leap Baptist Church established at the edge of a ravine. The church relocated to a different site a few years later. The church would be located on University Parks Drive for several years. (Ref: https://wacotrib.com/news/waco_history/surveyor-cracks-mystery-of-witchs-castle-near-cameron-park/article_8532f0e2-d188-5ad3-b92b-6c12cf8fc3cf.html)
Lovers Leap Baptist Church was named after the well-known landmark called Lovers Leap which is located in Cameron Park right near the Brazos River. (Ref: www.texasescapes.com/MikeCoxTexasTales/185-Lovers-Leap.htm)
Here Lovers Leap Baptist Church remained at its original location under the leadership of several pastors and reverends. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/43982419/)
“The church was organized in 1865 near Lover s Leap in Cameron Park. It remained at its original location under the leadership of several pastors. In 1942 Rev. W. S. Summers moved the church from vicinity to 301 Marlborough and remained pastor of the church until his death in 1946. Rev J. H Nelson was pastor of the church from 1947 until 1960. Rev Karl Walker became pastor in 1960 and during his third year as pastor an addition to the church was made at a cost of $4,500. After five years a new church was built. Rev Ollison was pastor of the church from June 1, 1971 until Aug 7, 1974. Rev Williams has been pastor since that time.”
Otta Brown became a member of the Lovers Leap Baptist Church at an early age. He later became a pastor at Lovers Leap Baptist Church. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/48017969/)
Lovers Leap Baptist Church voted to relocate the church at 3rd Street and Marlboro in late 1942. The church officially relocated to 301 Marlboro Street in 1943. Rev W S Summers had the church moved from the ravine to 301 Marlboro Street. (Ref: Waco News-Tribune 64 1/2 Acres Given By Cameron Firm to Enlarge Park, December 30, 1942)
Lovers Leap Baptist Church was rebuilt in 1965 at 301 Marlboro Street under the pastor of the then-present pastor Rev. Earl Walker. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/48079953/)
Lovers Leap Baptist Church celebrated their 102nd year anniversary in 1967. News regarding the 102nd year anniversary of Lovers Leap Baptist Church was reported by Waco Tribune-Herald and Waco News-Tribune in 1967. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/48079953/)
Rev. P. H. Williams was installed as the pastor of Lovers Leap Baptist Church in 1973. The Friday service were sponsored by auxiliaries of the church at 7:30 p.m. that night. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/63527983/)
The name of this church had changed from Lovers Leap Baptist Church to Lovers Leap Missionary Baptist Church in 1981. The name changed back to Lovers Leap Baptist Church/Lover’s Leap Baptist Church/Lovers’ Leap Baptist Church sometime in the 1980s. However the exact date of this name change is unknown. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/49917297/)
The name of this church changed back to Lovers Leap Missionary Baptist Church in 2008. Their for Sales and Use Tax began right at the beginning of 2008. Lovers Leap Missionary Baptist Church is still an active church today. (Ref: https://opengovus.com/texas-taxpayer/32052818500)
Lovers Leap Baptist Church Waco is currently located at 301 Bosque Boulevard, Waco, Texas, US 76707. Their phone number is 254-756-0569.
No comments:
Post a Comment