Our History

ORIGINAL CHURCH BUILDING

 CURRENT CHURCH BUILDING  (Built 1995)                                       

On November 30, 1952, Mother Bulah Lathan opened up her Grand Prairie home on Southwest 22nd Street to a group of Christian believers wanting to establish a church-family rooted in the Word of God.

Rev. L.A. Hancock provided the leadership during this sacred, yet joyous occasion of Morning Star's birth. Over the next few months, the group worshipped in Mother Lathan's home until they began renting a barrack on Sherman Street (1953).

From the Sherman location, where they worshipped for more than a year --the Morning Star Baptist Church began their efforts to build a permanent building. Though small in number but big on faith, they purchased three lots and began building their structure. They worked hard, and God blessed them to pay for the church as they were building. When the wooden structure was finished, it was paid for.

Rev. J. S. Simmons began to pastor Morning Star, and the church membership increased significantly under his leadership. The church structure was established, and Rev. Simmons was pastor for nine years.

Rev. N. R. Washington was then called to pastor and served until his death in 1968.

Rev. W. F. Drake Jr. became the pastor in 1968 serving the church faithfully and diligently for 18 years. Although his health became progressively worse, he still maintained a Christian devotion to his duty. Forever grateful for his service and dedication, the church retired him in December 1985.

Rev T. O. Jordan in 1986, served as pastor and the church continued to grow through his teaching and preaching. In 1989, Rev. J. L. Williams Jr. became pastor, and 41 new members were added to the church roll.

During 1990, 25 new members joined the church: 15 by Christian experience and 10 as candidates for baptism. Twelve members rededicated their lives to Jesus Christ.

In February of 1992, Rev. C. L. Taylor I, accepted God's call to pastor Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church.  Under Pastor Taylor’s leadership MSMBC broke ground for our new Edifice on July 10, 1994 @ 3:30pm.  And in July 1995 Morning Star was blessed to enter into our current 14,000 sq ft Edifice and the church address changed to 2251 El Paso. Under his leadership the church membership continues to grow.

Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church counts it a blessing that under the leadership of Pastor C.L. Taylor I, we formally dedicated and named the Fellowship Hall, located in the new church site after the late Rev. W.F. Drake. The current Fellowship Hall was the sanctuary of the old church. The new Edifice was designed to include the old church so we could always remember from whence we came.

In 2006 the church started a 3 year campaign to burn the church note. The campaign was a huge success and the church officially burned the original note in December 2009.

As Pastor Taylor’s leadership continued during 2011 to 2015 Morning Star began to complete securing ownership of the surrounding lots/land to ensure space for growth. We acquired the adjourning lots south of our building including lots 2202, 2206, 2210 and 2214 Beaumont St., Grand Prairie and all land is debt free and all tax liens were finally paid in full.

In 2011, with 19 years of service, Pastor C.L. Taylor I succeeded Rev. W.F. Drake as the longest tenured Pastor of Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church.

2017 marked yet another significant milestone as Pastor C.L. Taylor I celebrated 25 years as the Shepherd of Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church.

Therefore on this site, a generation has reaped the blessing of a woman's benevolence in opening up her home to a small group of believers. And future generations shall continue to inherit the blessings of a congregation's faith and obedience to Almighty God.