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In early 1909 some 20 former members of Mother Zion Baptist Church met and began the organization of a new church. They recognized a need for a new beginning, expansion, a locale change to touch more lives, and another expression of religion. The first organizational meetings were held in an old school building on the church's present site, 2420 Avenue B. The name selected for the new church was "Enterprise Missionary Baptist Church." The charter members were Ephrain and Salina Taylor and children, Horace and Maria Anderson and children, Billy War, Victoria Taylor and Texanna Moore. Soon after the church was organized, Phil Moore and Ed David joined. Rev. Harrison Ellis was the first pastor and he served for seven years. At that time services were held twice monthly. Gilmore, the second pastor of Enterprise, served from early 1916 until late 1917. In late 1917, Rev. S. L. Rugeley was called to pastor Enterprise, and under his leadership the church grew creating a need for a larger building. New organizations were added to the church, and the deacon board grew as a need for more leadership became evident. The need for teaching prompted the organization of a Sunday School with Maria Anderson as the first superintendent. Mrs. Luevella Mills was the first president of the choir. Rugeley stayed with Enterprise until 1924. In the following years the pastorship changed several times. During those turbulent times, the debt incurred in acquiring a new structure was still pending. In the next 12 years, Enterprise was to be led by four different ministers: Perry 1925-27, David Williams 1928-34, C. E. Bell 1935-36 and Heard 1936-37. At times the church operated without a minister and the strong and dedicated deacon board held the membership intact. In 1937 Rev. W. B. Wren was called to pastor Enterprise. During his administration, the church indebtedness was paid. The church grew from two pastoral Sundays per month to a full-service church with services each Sunday. Youth training programs--Star Light Bank, Girls' Auxiliary, Shepherd Boys League and BYPU--were organized and departmentalized. Worship services were held twice on Sundays. Several deacons were ordained under Pastor Wren. Rev. Warna Robinson, the Sunday School superintendent, assisted Wren during his tenure. Before Wren left in 1944, the membership had more than doubled. In the latter part of 1944, Rev. J. J. James became pastor. More auxiliaries were added to the church, and the membership continued to grow. The Mission Society was divided into Senior and Junior Societies. After a short stay of two years, James left Enterprise. Under the leadership of Rev. L. P. Phillips, a youth department, which included a choir, usher board, and junior deacons, was organized. A second senior choir and another usher board also were organized. The first parsonage was erected during Phillips tenure. The Sunday School, the oldest organization in the church, has been led by some very capable superintendents. Eugene Matthews served 21 years, and Mary Love served 23. Others serving as superintendents were: Maria Anderson, Amanda Tolson, Rev. Warren Robinson, Alex Peters, Heron Meitzenheimer and Sallie Caesar, Curtis Franklin, the youth assistant. There are now nine peer Sunday School classes. Rev. Pointer organized an education board and a working trustee board. For several years, Enterprise sponsored a kindergarten school with Earline Bratcher as teacher. Each first Sunday of the year, Enterprise observes First Fruit Day in memory of Amanda Price. On Sunday, August 15, 1954, Enterprise held the dedication service for the $30,000 (valued now at $150,000) building. At the time of the dedication the deacons were: Billy Ward (charter member), E. G. Matthews, Alex Peters, Ben Mills, Phil Moore, William Hayes, S. W. Robbins, Charlie Sneed, Charlie Edwards, George Drake, Arthur Peters and Andrew Taylor. The trustees were: Florence Robinson, Ikeleys Roberts, Frank Harris, Dave Young and Heron Meitzenheimer. From time to time the present minister has been assisted by the Revereneds Floyd Denkins, R. J. Tapscott and Carlyle Roberson. Pastor Pointer ordained the following deacons: Andrew Taylor, Hallard Lemons, Frank Henderson, Dave Young, Phil Green, Carlyle Roberson, Heron Meitzenheimer, Letridge Callies, Russell Pointer, Cleophus Brown and Donald Bratcher. By 1984 Enterprise had grown from 20 members to a membership of over 400. The present-day church is comprised of a 12-member deacon board, 5-member trustee board, church clerk, financial secretary, treasurer, recording secretary, sanctuary choir, youth choir, departmentalized Sunday School, 2 usher boards, youth usher board, 3 mission societies, education board, brotherhood, benevolent board, Baptist Training Union, nurse board, Pastor's Aid, and the Pointerettes (a 12-member singing group). The education board and benevolent board are active in the church outreach program. Scholarships are given and the needy and ill are helped. Enterprise has sponsored Boy Scout Troop No. 828 and is presently sponsoring Rainbow 4-H Club. A new brick parsonage has been erected and a church van purchased.
Historic Matagorda County, Volume I, pages 598-599,
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