In the beginning…
In 1985, Harold Edwards and Rev. Leroy Hall of the Wesley Foundation at Texas Southern University asked “Why can’t we have an African-American United Methodist Church in Missouri City?” Both men were residents of Missouri City and acquainted with Rev. Nathaniel McGinnis, pastor of Sloan Memorial United Methodist Church, and took the matter to him.
Rev. McGinnis directed Mr. Edwards and Rev. Hall to Dr. Robert Parrott who was the district superintendent for the Southwest District, which included Missouri City, and the desire for a new church was presented to him. Dr. Parrott approved the formation of a committee to study the need for a new church. Dr. Cornelius Jammer, Sr., Dr. W.B. Randolph, Rev. McGinnis and other laypersons were selected to serve on this committee. They found that a new church was needed to serve the growing African-American community in Missouri City.
After months of consultation and study, Dr. Parrott approached Bishop Benjamin Oliphint with the recommendation that a new church be organized in his district. Bishop Oliphint then directed the Board of Missions, through its “Room to Grow” program, to begin the process of establishing a new church in Missouri City.
Rev. Cornelius Jammer, Jr. was appointed organizing pastor by Bishop Oliphint at the May 1987 session of the Texas Annual Conference. The first planning meeting was held in his home with his wife, Evelyn, Charles Ballard and Keith Lott. They were soon joined by other members of the community including Harold and Irene Edwards, David and Gloria Thompson and Priscilla Perry. These early organizers developed the beginnings of this new ministry.
First, they chose to name the church Covenant Glen. Pastor Jammer suggested this name because of its biblical meaning: “Covenant” means agreement with God and ‘Glen’ means valley. When put together Covenant Glen means “a people agreeing with God in the valley”.
A temporary office and worship center was rented at 1931 Texas Parkway and on July 26, 1987 an open house was held at the center with over 75 people attending. On Sunday, August 2, 1987, the first worship service of Covenant Glen United Methodist Church was held with 40 people in attendance.
The first year (1987) of Covenant Glen was one of excitement and growth. Some of the “firsts” for Covenant Glen during our first year were:
· Sunday School was held on September 6 with eight students and Evelyn Jammer, Deborah Booker and Corliss Stonum as teachers
· The first baptism was held with five children
· An adult and children’s choir and the acolytes were organized
· The first wedding ceremony, uniting Andrew Jackson and Katherine Simmons, was held on December 19
Many activities were held to let the community know about Covenant Glen and the question of a permanent church site became priority. It would confirm that Covenant Glen was in the community to stay. This concern was brought to the attention of District Superintendent Dr. Robert Parrott and the Director of the Board of Missions, Dr. Keith Kellow, and a church meeting was called to open a discussion regarding the need with them. A planning committee was formed with Allen Goodlow as chairman. The end result was the Board of Missions purchasing one acre of land for the new church, located on the corner of Quail Park Drive and McHard Road (FM2234) in October 1988 and the parsonage at 8610 Quail View Drive in November.
February 26, 1989 marked the beginning of a new era for Covenant Glen United Methodist Church with groundbreaking ceremonies on the site of our new location. Actual construction of the 6,000 square foot multi-purpose facility began in March.
On September 24, 1989 Covenant Glen United Methodist Church became a chartered congregation in the Texas Annual Conference. It had been almost 27 years since a predominantly African-American church had been chartered in the Texas Conference.
Charter Members
*Henderson, Diane and Rachelle Anderson
*Charles and DeLana Ballard
Carey, Deborah, Corey and Carey Booker
*Minerva Balthazar
*Burnis, Barbara, Brian, Brandon, Baliia and Burnis III Brazil
Carl and Duane Butler
Dennis, Tammie, Sha-day and D. J. Campbell
Jerlyn and Lisa Campbell
Belivian, Jameelah and Jonathan Carter
Willie Ann and Leonardis Cooper
Harold, Irene, Robin, Rosemary and Matthew Edwards
Florence and Jamal Ford
Willie, Rene, Willie III and Nicolas Garner
Allen Goodlow
Cleveland, Janet, Cleveland, Jr. and Danielle Harris
Ernestine Harris
Andrew, Catherine, Larry Simmons Jackson
Evelyn, Cornelius III and Cornelia Jammer
Myrtle Jammer
Burley, Ruby, Latrenda, Burton, ShuJauna and Lee Johnson
Marlene and Monica Ann Laudermilk
Keith Lott
Jesse, Patricia and Jonathan Mack
Larry, Carolyn, Chad and Lawrence Mallory
Shelia and Brandon Mayes
Ronald, Pamela, Reginald, Alicia, Rhonda and Gregory McAllister
Alfred, Mary, Allen Lauren and Dana Nickson
Billy Ray, Bobbie, Billy Ray, Jr. and Tanya Pace
Wanda and Chalonda Parker-Reid
LaGloria and Nicole Sephus
Lois, Brittany Janese Smith
Vivian, Vanessa, Christina, Teresa Phillips Smith
*Corliss, Catherine and K. T. Stonum
*Cynthia Terry-Yeldell
Gloria, David, Jr. and Jamie Thompson
Ola Walker
Darrell Washington
Reuben Washington
Jesse, Carolyn and Courtney White
Jerry, Alma, Jerry Anthony, Shondra and Tioka Wyatt
Demetrie, Leonard, Lorna Brown Zeno
* still active member
The 90’s…
Dr. Robert E. Childress was appointed to Covenant Glen as pastor in 1990. Under his leadership membership has grown from the original 42 families to an average weekly worship attendance of approximately 1,500.
