| Bro. Willie Sworn | Steward Board |
Bro. Marion J. Douse | Trustee Board and Church Treasurer |
Bro. Frederick Hayden | Trustee Board |
Sis. Mary Manjang | Stewardess President and Sunday School Treasurer |
Sis. Mary Anderson | Stewardess Board |
Sis. Velma Hayden | Stewardess Board, Assistant Sunday School |
| Allen Christian Endeavor (A.C.E.) League Director |
Sis. Eddie Johnson | Stewardess Board and Missionary Society President |
Sis. Bertie Sworn | Secretary, Church Clerk, and Junior Choir Director |
As secretary, she obtained the legal papers for tax exemption and the Incorporation of the church
| Sis. Alice Douse | SerSunday School Superintendentvice 1 |
(Anderson Chapel’s first elected officers to these positions after the membership grew)
| Cathy Douse | Pianist and Junior Choir Treasurer |
| Angela Young | Sunday School Secretary |
| Deborah Sworn | Sunday School Assistant Secretary, Allen Christian Endeavor (ACE) League Secretary, & Junior Choir Secretary |
Michelle Douse | Junior Choir President |
| Deloris Harris | Allen Christian Endeavor (ACE) League President |
| Callie Young | Missionary Society Secretary |
| Anna Mims | Missionary Society Treasurer |
Our Founders
The first church was located at 3631 Turner Avenue and 46th Street in Simmonsville. Sis. Velma Hayden along with other members began looking for a place to hold the church’s worship services. She found a building, which was formerly a jail for the Lone Star Community. The Lone Star Community is now known as Simmonsville. The members busily and thankfully cleaned, nailed, painted, and decorated this building for Anderson Chapel’s first worship service that was held on March 3, 1964. During the first year of the church’s existence, the membership increased. This made it possible to elect additional officers to provide the leadership within each auxiliary ministry of the church.
On January 1, 1966, almost two years after its organization, Anderson Chapel A.M.E. Church relocated from Turner and 46th Street to its present site, 1002 Jefferies Avenue. Again, Sis. Velma Hayden located a building that Anderson Chapel purchased from Sunset Baptist Church in Killeen, and had it moved to 1002 Jefferies Avenue. The men of the church were all away on military assignments, and Bro. Tilmer Manjang, the husband of Sis. Mary Manjang, and their son, Kenneth, worked to prepare this building for our place of worship. Bro. Manjang built a boardwalk for a sidewalk to allow entry to the church through a muddy yard. He made repairs inside the building to give the interior an inviting place to worship. Stain glass contact paper was used to cover the windowpanes to add a touch of beauty, and a slightly elevated area was constructed to form the pulpit. We thanked God for Bro. Manjang and Kenneth for the service that they freely gave to Anderson Chapel. On August 7, 1966, approximately seven months after the church was relocated, Bishop O. L. Sherman, Presiding Prelate of the Tenth Episcopal District of the A. M. E. Church presided during the Dedication Service for Anderson Chapel A.M.E. Church.
God continued to bless Anderson Chapel A.M.E. Church. Our membership continued to grow, and during the 83rd Session of the Central Texas Conference, about October 1966, Anderson Chapel was designated as a “station church” with Rev. Arthur Anderson appointed as Pastor and Rev. S. J. Matthews as Presiding Elder. Two years later, the church’s Cornerstone Dedication was held on August 18, 1968. Rev. C. L. Boyd delivered the sermon. The New Light Lodge No. 242 conducted cornerstone services. Lodge 242 was assisted by Master Masons of Districts 14, 24, and other Prince Hall Affiliations. At the time of the Cornerstone Dedication in 1968, Anderson Chapel’s adult membership had increased by 100 % and we were blessed to have five youths who professed saving faith in Jesus Christ. In addition to Anderson Chapel’s ten charter members, God had added to the roll: Sis. Murial Bell, Sis. Louise Clark, Sis. Willie Hancock, Bro. D. A. Johnson the husband of Sis. Eddie Johnson, Sis. Verda Jarmon, Bro. Charles Jarmon, Sis. Ardella Littion, Bro. Greene Locke, Sis. Mary Reed, Sis. Cloudie Rhodes, and Sis. Callie Young. Deloris Clark, Rosemary Clark, Cathy Douse, Michelle Douse, and Harry Smith were our five youth converts. By 1968, with this growth in church membership, Anderson Chapel’s Boards of Stewards, Trustees, and Stewardesses, as well as the Missionary Society grew in size. This growth provided opportunity for a stronger leadership team for the church.
It was just five years after Anderson Chapel’s relocation to 1002 Jefferies Avenue, that one of its members, Sis. Gladys B. Locke, launch a drive to add a fellowship hall to the church. She and her daughter, Doris Locke baked and sold small “pound cakes” at $1.00 each to raise the funds to finance this project. Other activities were also initiated such as individual members’ donations, baby contests, dinner sales, etc. in support of this project. Working together, the addition of Anderson Chapel’s Fellowship Hall was constructed forming a north wing to the existing church. This fellowship hall wing housed a large dining area, the pastor’s office, the large male and female restrooms, and a kitchen. This facility was completed and dedicated on Sunday, September 24, 1972. It was named the Gladys B. Locke Fellowship Hall in memory of the late Sis Glady B. Locke, who initiated the first funds raising effort to fund the construction. Rev. Hercules Miles presided at the dedication and delivered the sermon. Sis. Locke’s family was the honored guest at the service.
Anderson Chapel’s membership continued to show growth, and by September 1972 both the Board of Stewards and the Board of Trustees were bless with some new workers in this part of God’s vineyard. During the next two years, in 1972-74, the growth of Anderson Chapel’s membership made it necessary to extend the sanctuary. This included an extension of the pulpit and the choirs' stand. In 1974 prior to the retirement of Rev. Arthur Anderson, Anderson Chapel’s membership had grown from 10 adults to approximately 100 adults, and the youth department had grown from the original 18 children of the charter members to approximately 80 young adults and youths. From 1964-1968, Anderson Chapel was blessed with 21 adult member. But, by 1973 the 20 members had been increased five fold. As we look back over the early years during Rev. Arthur Anderson’s administration, we thank God that many of the members who joined Anderson Chapel under Rev. Arthur Anderson administration are still among us as members of Anderson Chapel today. We acknowledge their continual service in and continual support to Anderson Chapel from those early days to the present. We thank God for sending to us: Edmond Jones, Mae Doby, Narvella Freeman, Ruth Gaines, Ollie Redwine, Mary Jenkins, Elmer Snell, Adalee Snell, Louise Clark, Lucky Clark, Nathaniel Crawford, Ozell Taylor, Amonda Rivers, Jessie Cobbs, Alvin Cobbs, Milton Carroll, Jewell Carroll, Culbertson Johnson, Mary Jones Dillon, Lucy Bolden, Merdine Talley, Cloudie Rhodes, Verda Jarmon, Charles Jarmon, and others.
We also acknowledge those members who labored with us during Rev. Arthur Anderson’s administration, but have now gone on to glory: Lillian Johnson, Dorothy Taylor, Walter Clark, Sr., Bessie Pickens, Aubrey Pickens, Dale Rivers, D. A. Johnson, Greene Locke, Gladys Locke, Wesley T. Doby, Dorothy Sargent, Alton, Patton,Sr., Mildred Furlough, J.L. Furlough, Betty Hallett, Madlyn Milton, Minnie Thomas, and others.
Finally, we acknowledge those members who labored with us, during Rev. Arthur Anderson’s Administration, but now are associated with other churches in this area or through out Central Texas, the U.S., or abroad: Muriel Bell, Norvis Willis, Beverly Ware, Charlie Ware, Geneva Wilkerson, Beatrice Smith, Marvin Smith, Bertha Dillard, Reddie King, Patsy Patton, and others.
Rev. Arthur Anderson having first been appointed pastor of Anderson in 1964 was appointed again at the 82nd Session of the Central Texas Annual Conference and in succeeding years through the 90th Session of the Central Texas Annual Conferences. Rev. Arthur Anderson gave many years of dedicated service pastoring churches of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Ten of those years of dedicated service were given to Anderson Chapel A. M. E. Church, Killeen, Texas. The service that he rendered during his ministry extended beyond the Marlboro Heights Community and out to surrounding communities in Central Texas. Rev. and Mrs. Anderson’s home was in Lampasas, Texas and they commuted to Anderson Chapel in Killeen for these 10 years. On October 11, 1974 at the 91st Session of the Central Texas Annual Conference, Rev. Arthur Anderson retired as pastor of Anderson Chapel A.M.E. Church. Rev. Arthur Anderson has been called “The Father of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in the Killeen Area.” There had been an earlier attempt to organize an A.M.E. Church in Killeen before 1964, but it did not become a reality at that time.
During the years following the retirement of Rev. Arthur Anderson, the church’s membership continued to grow. Rev. J. A. Peterson was appointed pastor of Anderson chapel at the 92nd Session of the Central Texas Conference for the 1974-75-conference year; Rev. Preston Edwards was appointed pastor of Anderson Chapel at the 93rd Session of the Central Texas Annual Conference for the 1975-76 conference year. God continued to bless the church, and souls continued to be saved.
Rev. B. J. Satterwhite was appointed pastor of Anderson Chapel at the 94th Session of the Central Texas Annual Conference for the 1976-77 conference year. Anderson Chapel stayed the course in worship, teaching, evangelism, mission outreach, and the spiritual development of its youth and young adults. During Rev. Satterwhite’s administration, Anderson Chapel purchased an acre of property that would later become the site of a new and larger stone church.
Rev. James R. Anderson was first appointed pastor of Anderson Chapel at the 95th Session of the Central Texas Annual Conference, for the 1977-78 conference year, and appointed again at the 95th Session, and 96th Sessions of the Central Texas Annual Conferences to serve as Anderson Chapel’s pastor for the 1978-79 and the 1979-80 conference years. Planning for the construction for a new church began in March 1980 under Rev. Anderson’s administration. Also, under the administration of Rev. James R. Anderson, Anderson Chapel acquired a church musician, Albert J. Reed, for our music department. Bro. Reed was a college student at Paul Quinn College and a member of the Paul Quinn College Choir. For more than 27 years Bro. Reed has been playing the piano and organ & directing choirs at Anderson Chapel. Beginning in 1977 and continuing to 2004, he has rendered uninterrupted service to the church during the administration of all of the pastors since 1977. Bro. Reed’s service, his talent and the needs of the church, earned for him the designation of Minister of Music for Anderson Chapel during the 1981-82 Conference year. He continues to serve in this position in 2004.
Rev. T. J. Shepherd was appointed pastor of Anderson Chapel at the 97th Session of the Central Texas Annual Conference for the 1980-81-conference year. The construction of the new Church was completed under Rev. Shepherd's administration, and Anderson Chapel hosted its first annual conference, The 98th Session of the Central Texas Annual Conference, in October 1981. This new sanctuary was built to face Terrace Drive. Terrace Drive is the short street that intersects Jefferies Avenue and provides entry to the church and into what is now noted in the tax records as Anderson Chapel Subdivision. However, even though the church does not face Jefferies Avenue anymore, the address of Anderson Chapel A.M.E. Church remains 1002 Jefferies Avenue. The first worship service held in the new sanctuary was the opening service of the 98th Session of the Central Texas Annual Conference. This marked the official move from the white frame church to the current rock church for worship services.
Rev. M.C. Cooper was first appointed pastor of Anderson Chapel at the 99th Session of the Central Texas Annual Conference for the 1981-82-conference year. He was appointed again in eight additional sessions of the Central Texas Annual Conferences as pastor of Anderson Chapel and continued to serve from 1982-1990. His tenure as pastor was the longest of any pastor before or after his appointments, totaling 9 years. Under his administration, the fellowship hall extension was completed. The first Church Anniversary Banquet was initiated and has become a church tradition. Anderson Chapel hosted the 104th Session of the Central Texas Annual Conference in 1987. Plans for an education wing were begun. The adult choir toured along the east coast of the U. S. and presented concerts at churches in several of the states. The choir performed under the direction of Bro. Reed. Rev. Cooper traveled with the choir.
After the move to the new church, some of the Sunday school classes were held in the old church building. Youth Church was also held in there on Sundays. Youth church took place during the same time that Sunday worship services were being held in the new church. At one time, a Head Start Program was held in the old church building. Several years later in January 1989, during the last year of Rev. Cooper’s administration the old white frame church was torn down and the land was prepared to construct the existing parking lot that borders Jefferies Avenue. Some church records were lost and a newly renovated kitchen was also destroyed as a result of the demolition of the old church building. The Gladys B. Locke Fellowship no longer existed. Therefore, The Glady B. Locke Memorial Garden was created and was dedicated to her memory, September 1989. Bishop Pruitt presided over the ceremony.
Rev. Dr. C. A. Jones was first appointed pastor of Anderson Chapel at the 107th Session of the Central Texas Annual Conference for the 1990-91 conference year. He was appointed again at the 108th Session of the Central Texas Annual Conference as pastor for the 1991-92-conference year. The Mona Fields Youth Center was established and dedicated. Ten (10) plus acres of land were also acquired for future expansion. The Alice Douse Education Wing was completed.
Rev. Dr. Lawrence Emanuel was first appointed as pastor of Anderson Chapel at the 109th Session of the Central Texas Annual Conference for the 1992-93 conference year. He was appointed again as pastor at the 110th, 111th, and 112th Sessions of the Central Texas Annual Conferences for the 1993-94, 1994-95, and 1995-96 Conference years. Under his administration, the purchase of the Anderson Chapel A.M.E. Church Manse was accomplished.
Rev. Walter McDonald was first appointed pastor of Anderson Chapel at the 113th Session of the Central Texas Annual Conference for the 1996-97-conference year. He was appointed again five additional times at the 114th, 115th, 116th, 117th, and 118th Sessions of the Central Texas Annual Conferences as pastor of Anderson Chapel for the 1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-00, 2000-01. 2001-02 conference years. Under his administration, the Richard Allen Community Development Corporation was established. The Marion J. Douse Annex was constructed as an expansion of the Mona Fields Youth Activity Center. The Anderson Chapel Child Development Learning Center was established, and is now housed in the Youth Center and the Marion J. Douse Annex. The church mortgage was paid off. The renovation of the sanctuary and the kitchen was completed. The building for the Anderson Chapel Mission House was purchased. Some renovations in the education wing and offices were made. Anderson hosted the 114th Session and the 119th Session of the Central Texas Annual Conferences in 1997 and 2002 respectively.
Rev. William M. Campbell, Jr. is the current pastor of Anderson Chapel A.M.E. Church. He was first appointed in November 2002, to serve as pastor of Anderson Chapel A.M.E. Church for the 2002-03 Conference year. He was appointed again at the 120th Session of the Central Texas Annual Conference as pastor of Anderson Chapel for the 2003-2004 Conference year. Under his administration, spiritual growth opportunities have been initiated that include the Pastor’s Power Pray (for the Brothers), Hour of Power (H.O.P), Word Encounter (Bible Study), and Men’s. Breakfast. The Mission, Vision, and Quadrennial Theme have become a Living, Action Oriented, Guide and Purpose to be considered when planning all events and activities of the church. A Daily Radio Broadcast Ministry, a Media Ministry of tapes and spiritual products, and a Publication Ministry that produces a monthly newsletter have been established. These three ministries also provide evangelism opportunities to share the “Word”. A Joseph Fund has been established which is a Stewardship & Finance Ministry to secure the future of the church for future generations. A Resurrection Seed Ministry has been established which is designed to liquidate the indebtedness of the church. The Concept of “Partners in Progress” has been introduced as a means whereby entities can work together in providing community services that cannot be provided by the church. Anderson Chapel Child Development Learning Center has increased licensing capacity, and has also expanded its services to provide “infant care” and “hourly care”. Richard Allen Community Development Corporation has acquired three real estate properties, which strengthens its economic base. Awareness of the need to consider upgrading the leadership’s outlook spiritually, physically, and economically in the interest of the church is being encouraged. Renovations of office areas are in progress.
SUMMARY: Eleven (11) pastors have provided leadership to Anderson Chapel A.M.E.Church over these 40 years: Rev. Arthur Anderson, Rev. J. A. Peterson, Rev. Preston Edwards, Rev. B. J. Satterwhite, Rev. James R. Anderson, Rev. T. J. Shepherd, Rev. M. C. Cooper, Rev. Dr. Clarence A. Jones, Rev. Dr. Lawrence R. Emanuel, Sr., Rev. Walter McDonald, and currently serving as our senior pastor is Rev. William M. Campbell, Jr. The Mission and Vision of Anderson Chapel continues to be realized through the leadership of each of these pastors who have labored with us. Anderson Chapel’s “40 –Years-Walk” with the Lord has been abundantly blessed. Therefore, we praise God from whom all blessings flow. Anderson Chapel’s 2003 Annual Report showed a total membership count of 407, and we are still growing. The Church has more than 30 actively involved ministries. Ongoing opportunities for spiritual growth and personal development are available. More than 300 youths, who are now young adults or adults have been identified as having been actively a part of this membership over the forty years. More than 50 sons and daughters of Anderson Chapel have accepted the Call to ministry either while members here at Anderson Chapel, or since relocating in other parts of the U.S. and the world. Each of the eleven (11) pastors has, “watered” and “planted” and “planted and “watered” during Anderson Chapel’s blessed journey over the 40 years. THEREFORE: We, the members of Anderson, KNOW WHO PLANTED. WE KNOW WHO WATERED. AND MOST OF ALL, WE KNOW WHO GAVE THE INCREASE. As a Church Family, we are striving to fulfill Anderson Chapel’s Mission: To minister to the needs of the total person by proclaiming the transforming and liberating “Good News” in word and deed through worship, teaching, evangelism, mission, ministries, fellowship, and discipleship, in ways that nurture our commitment of Faith as we continue in love for one another, while we grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are striving to fulfill Anderson Chapel’s Vision: To seek to meet the need, both spiritually and physically, of families and individuals in the community by becoming an evangelistic, total -tithing, debt-free, mission-oriented congregation. We are also striving to fulfill the 2004 Quadrennial Theme: To provide Christian Spiritual Growth opportunities beyond the Ministry Empowerment meetings that will Enlist, Empower, and Equip God’s People for Evangelism, Discipleship, and Stewardship. Anderson Chapel’s Mission and Vision, like the mission of the Connectional Church, continue to promote Christianity, first class citizenship and human dignity, which we exemplify as stated in our church motto: “God our Creator, Christ our Redeemer, Holy Spirit our Comforter, Humanity our Family.”
"God is moving in this place and this is the place to be!"
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