Second Baptist Church of San Antonio

The Rev. S. H. James, Sr., one of the pastors the plaque names, led Second Baptist for forty-eight years and carried its pulpit into city politics. On March 16, 1960, San Antonio became the first major city in the South to integrate its lunch counters, the Handbook of Texas says, and on November 11, 1965, the city council voted unanimously to desegregate all public accommodations. That year James became the first African American elected to the council, the first in a major Texas city. On the council he pushed for a fair-employment ordinance and joined peaceful sit-ins.

What the plaque says

Second Baptist Church of San Antonio This congregation was organized in 1879 by the Rev. Charles Augustis and 11 other ex-slaves who, althogth "freed", felt the linkage of slavery and were moved to establish a fellowship in which they could feel wanted as equal participants. Known as Macedonia Baptist Church until 1890, the congregation worshiped in a small frame house until 1894 whent hey moved to Chestnut Street. Baptisms were held in the nearby San Antonio River. An ornate Gothic Church Building was completed at Chestnut and Center Streets in 1910, during te pastorate of the Rev. I.H. Kelly. In 1968 the congregation moved to present site. Second Baptist church has been served by a number of outstanding Pastors, including the Rev. (Father) Ruben Anderson, a charter member and interim pastor; the Rev. S.H. James, Sr. Numerous business and civic leaders have been members here. Throughout its history the second baptist church has emphasized a program of Evangelism, education, worship, and fellowship. It is recognized for its community service, mission outreach, adult continuing education program, and tuturial services. For over 100 years, the church has played an integral role in the San Antonio Community. (1984)

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• The Alamo — 3.0 mi
  Mission San Antonio de Valero before it was a fort: a church its builders never finished, a thirteen-day siege in 1836, and the Army gable of 1850-52 that became its emblem.
• La Villita Historic Arts Village — 3.1 mi
  The little village across the river from the presidio, where Cos surrendered San Antonio in 1835, rebuilt by Depression-era youth crews as a working crafts village.
• San Antonio River Walk — 3.2 mi
  A Depression-era park one level below downtown, built because San Antonio refused to pave its river after the 1921 flood, and designed by an architect the project later fired.
• San Fernando Cathedral — 3.5 mi
  The Canary Islanders' parish church on Main Plaza, where Bowie married and Santa Anna raised a red flag, rebuilt in Gothic Revival around the walls of the 1750s church.

More markers nearby

• Old Houston Road — 0.5 mi
• Young Perry Alsbury — 0.7 mi
• Saint Philip's College — 1.0 mi
• Saint Philip's Episcopal Church — 1.3 mi