MT. ROSE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH CELEBRATING 150TH BIRTHDAY

  

The oldest African American Baptist Church in Brenham is approaching its 150th birthday.

Mt. Rose Missionary Baptist Church had its origins in secret church meetings held by runaway slaves and freedmen in the 1850’s.  After the Civil War, federal troops posted near an area called Camptown ensured freedom of religious expression for emancipated Blacks in Brenham.

The First Baptist Church of Brenham offered letters of membership to the freed Blacks, but the group wanted to establish their own church.  Thus,

Mt. Rose Missionary Baptist Church was officially organized in 1868 by Reverend Joe Lawson and Reverend James McBride.  It was named in honor of Rose Armstead-Whitaker, who gave a lot of her time and money to the church.

For several years, church services were held in brush arbors, in nearby homes, and in the soldiers’ dining hall at Camptown.  Mt. Rose and St. John A.M.E. Church held services there on alternating Sundays.  When the troops finally left, the land was sold and the proceeds divided between the two churches.  With that money, Mt. Rose built its first sanctuary in 1974.

In celebration of February being African American History Month, Mt. Rose is hosting several community events.  This Sunday, February 18th, Reverend Dr. John D. Harris and First Lady Helen Harris will have their 18th Pastoral Anniversary Celebration at 3 p.m. at 204 Kerr Street in Brenham.  Mt. Rose will also host a Candidates Forum next Monday, February 19th at 6 p.m. at the Cannery Kitchen, and a Black History Forum on Monday, February 26th at 6 p.m. at the church.  The Prairie View A&M University Dance Ensemble will perform on Saturday, February 24th at 5 p.m. at the Brenham ISD Early Childhood Learning Center.

For more information, visit www.mtrosebrenham.org.