Greater Bell Zion Missionary Baptist Church concluded its 133rd
Church Anniversary on Sunday afternoon, October 28, 2018 with
a stellar Anniversary Homecoming Celebration. Greater Bell Zion,
under the leadership of Pastor Reverend Jerry B. Lee, Jr., was established
in 1865 and is the oldest African-American church on the
Mainland.
Descendants of the founding families of the 1867 Settlement were
invited to make presentations on the history of the pioneering families
of the Settlement. An enlightening presentation on the history
of the Calvin Bell and Thomas Caldwell families was made by Dr.
Ollie J. Bell Davis from Channelview, a direct descendant of both the
Bell and Caldwell families. Mr. Jerry Wyatt from Missouri City spoke
briefly on the Britton and Hobgood families. The church presented
the Settlement founding families with beautifully framed certificates
of appreciation, received by Dr. Ollie J. Bell Davis and Mrs. Vera Bell
Gary, for the Bell family, by Attorney Kevin Haynes for the Caldwell
family, and by Mr. Jerry Wyatt for the Britton and Hobgood families.
Reverend A. T. Jordan, Sr., pastor at Evergreen Missionary Baptist
Church in Nash, Texas, delivered the spoken word on the theme,
“Guided by the Word of God” (II Timothy 3:18). The well-attended
program included a Memorial/Candle Lighting service.
Members of the African-American Historic Preservation Committee,
which represents the 1867 Settlement Historical District, also
attended the Anniversary Celebration.
Photo Caption: Bell and Caldwell Descendants. Mrs. Vera Bell Gary,
the longest living
descendant present
from the Calvin
Bell family,
sitting in the middle.
Mrs. Vander
Caldwell Haynes,
shown sitting 3rd
from the left, is the
longest living descendant
present
from the Thomas
Caldwell family.
Both ladies are almost
93 years old.
