History Of Clear Lake A. M. E. Church

AUGUST 18, 1992

The first meeting to organize a church in the Clear Lake City area began with prayer and praise on August 18, 1992 at the home of Rev. Brenda and Bro. Jerryl Payne.

Service began with Bro. Payne leading praise service on the organ in the living room. Presiding Elder X. L. Williams of the South Houston District read the scripture, testimonies were given Rev. Payne offered prayer. There were 9 adults and 5 children present.

Rev. Payne shared the God-given vision and purpose for the mission church:

  1. To share the word of God;
  2. To include all people;
  3. To assist the community in doing God's work economically, socially, and politically;
  4. To assist in mission work locally and internationally.

The Paynes as a teaching team shared the Word of God and theme from I Corinthians 2: 9-10 and Isaiah 64:4, "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God".

Rev. Payne reiterated the need for us to wait for the direction of the Holy Spirit to empower the church as well as to reveal the unfolding mission to Clear Lake City, Texas.

OCTOBER, 1992

At the Texas Annual Conference held at Shiloh A.M.E. Church in Galveston, Tx. Bishop John R. Bryant, presiding Bishop over the 10th Episcopal District (the state of Texas) formally gave Rev. Payne an appointment to begin a mission charge in the Clear Lake area.

NOVEMBER 29, 1992

Clear Lake held its first 11 AM worship service at the Piper's Meadow Community Center in Webster, Tx . Bible study continued initially in the home of the pastor and subsequently at the King's Park Community Center in Houston. In July of 1993 Bible study moved to the Piper's Meadow Community Center.

JANUARY 9, 1994

Clear Lake added the newly organized Sunday School at 9:30 am. as of January 9, 1994.

MARCH 3, 1995

Clear Lake glorified God for the first time in its current edifice, our first official "home" at 17043 El Camino Real at Gemini, Suite 200, Houston, Tx. 77058. This ofice location afforded 2600 square feet for the work of the Lord in the Clear Lake area. The Nehemiah Ministry under the direction of Wilbert Williams built an altar and carpeted pulpit area, helping to transform the office setting into a sanctuary. In June, Bishop John R. Bryant and his wife, Rev. Cecelia, dedicated our facility.

Clear Lake hosted the South Houston District Sunday School Convention. For 2 days over 200 people shared with us in our new building.

Three months later, Clear Lake secured more space to expand the worship facility to 3,300 sq. feet, allowing room for additional ministries in the life of the church.

APRIL 16, 1996

Clear Lake A.M.E. Church purchased 3.5 acres on two adjacent lots with an assessed value of over $300,000.00 in the vicinity of the Johnson Space Center (NASA) and the University of Houston in Clear Lake. This blessing from the Lord and the community is believed to be the first church purchase by African Americans in the historic Clear Lake area.

July 26, 1998

Bishop John R. Bryant officiated over the Ground Breaking Ceremony of our new sanctuary. Other participants included Congressman Nick Lampson and Houston City Councilman Carroll Robinson. On that day Clear Lake's giving exceeded $100,000 a year for the first time.

October 5, 1999

Following the successful model of the Umoja 4 used by Bishop Bryant in 1998, Clear Lake joined with Primm Chapel LaMarque, Reedy Chapel Galveston, and St. James Dickinson to form the Mainland 4, serving as host of the Annual Conference. The four churches, small in numerical size, provided a delightful entertainment to the conference and reaffirmed the Umoja principle that working together can accomplish much in the service of the Lord. The prime site of the Conference was University Baptist Church, whose loving people and humble pastor Dr. Robert Creech, graciously shared their expansive facility with the AME church. The combination of cooperation both within and across denominational lines yielded an enriched worship experience for the week.

Today

In 8 short years Clear Lake has grown from nothing to a congregation of more than 122 members. Our family oriented church offers several ministries to meet the needs of our members, our community, and our friends in Christ. Pastor Payne continues to preach the gospel of peace, love, and reconciliation.

Clear Lake looks forward to beginning construction on Phase I, our 6200 square feet worship facility, with seating for 250 and parking for 113.