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OUR CHURCH HISTORY
On May 1, 1962, a small group of members assembled in a building that had formerly housed a grocery store, located at 1511 San Bernard Street in Austin, Texas. Their purpose was to organize a Primitive Baptist church. Joining this group were members who had been granted letters from Pilgrim Rest Primitive Baptist Church. These two groups proposed a merger and requested to proceed with the organization of one united church—a proposal that was unanimously accepted and announced by the late Rev. R.H. Howard.
The presbytery, composed of Elders G.W. Bonner, R.C. Easley, and C. McDonald, officially constituted the church with 43 members. Following the constitution of the church, Rev. G.W. Bonner presented Rev. R.H. Howard as the founder and pastor. An invitation for membership was extended while Rev. Howard sang a hymn of praise, and seventeen individuals came forward and united with the church.
On July 1, 1962, a groundbreaking ceremony was held on Lots 1 and 16 of Block B in the Truman Heights Subdivision at 5303 Samuel Huston Avenue. On August 1, 1962, this house of God was formed through the tireless efforts of the congregation under the leadership of Pastor Howard. Following these milestones, both the pastor and the congregation anxiously waited for entrance day. On February 24, 1963, the doors officially opened, and a great shout arose: “Thank God from whom all blessings flow.”
A Lasting Legacy
Rehoboth is blessed to still have one charter member in our midst:
∙ Mother Alta Lee Barnes – Born 1929
Dedication
On March 31, 1963, the church edifice was dedicated to God during the afternoon service, under the auspices of the Texas and Oklahoma Primitive Baptist State Convention. Rev. W.P. Jackson, pastor of Zion Chapel Primitive Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, delivered the sermon. State officials were present, along with special guests Brother Edward Doyle, Virgil Lott, and O.R. Lott, the designers and general contractors of the church. The sermon topic was: “The Penalty of Forgetting God” Deuteronomy 8:11 and Hosea 9:15.
Rev. R.H. Howard remained with Rehoboth until 1967, when he accepted the pastoral call to New Salem Primitive Baptist Church in Tampa, Florida.
A New Chapter
After much prayer and deliberation, Rehoboth called Rev. R.D. Reese to serve as pastor. He accepted the call and brought sound doctrine and strong leadership to a waiting congregation. Rehoboth pressed forward and was abundantly blessed by the Lord.
Under Pastor Reese, the church flourished spiritually, numerically, and financially. The church building was paid off in full, celebrated with a note-burning service, church auxiliaries were formed, and several renovations were undertaken through the years.
During Pastor Reese’s tenure, eleven ministers served under his leadership, many of whom went on to pastor other churches:
∙ Rev. Otis Clemons
∙ Rev. Huland Robertson
∙ Rev. Anthony Barnes
∙ Rev. Ted Shelton
∙ Rev. David Dukes
∙ Rev. Jasper Shaw
∙ Rev. Kenneth Greenwell (deceased)
∙ Rev. Nathan Robertson Jr. (interim pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church, Austin)
∙ Rev. Lester Collins Sr.
∙ Rev. James L. Foster (deceased, former pastor of New Hope P.B.C.)
∙ Rev. Lawrence Davis
Rehoboth remained unified as a church committed to praising God and seeking to fulfill His will. Guided by the leadership of Pastor Reese and with a praying congregation, we sought to live up to our motto as “The Church on the Hill, Endeavoring to Do God’s Will.”
In June 2004, due to health reasons, Rev. R.D. Reese was named Pastor Emeritus after 38 years of faithful service. He continued to serve as a counselor and spiritual guide until his passing. After his call home to glory, God sent Rev. Homer Cyphers (since deceased) to serve as interim pastor, blessing the congregation with inspiring messages and welcoming seven new members, three of whom were baptized.
A New Vision
With much prayer and supplication, and under the profound glory and majesty of God, He blessed us in February 2005 with a devoted servant-leader, Rev. R.A. Hendricks—a man eager to fulfill God’s divine will. Rev. Hendricks was officially installed as our pastor on April 10, 2005. Rehoboth had gained another faithful soldier on the battlefield for the Lord.
Since that time, Pastor Hendricks has implemented numerous ministries and spiritual initiatives to nurture the growth of the church. These include the establishment of a Men’s Ministry, a Health and Wellness Ministry, New Members Orientation classes, weekly Bible studies, and Bible Training Union. He has also spearheaded Community Fellowship Outreach Ministries, premarital counseling for engaged couples, Young Men and Women’s ministry (“In to Win”), SWAG Sunday School class, and Children’s Church.
Furthermore, in 2011, Pastor Hendricks gained a new son in the ministry, Rev. Chauncey Patterson, and, in 2025, he ordained another son, Rev. Stevie L. Spence, who now serves as pastor of St. Phillips M.B.C. in Rosanky, Texas.
Through the leadership of Pastor Hendricks, Rehoboth continues to thrive as a beacon of hope, service, and unwavering faith in God’s promises.
Under Pastor Hendricks, Rehoboth saw many renovations and acquisitions, including:
∙ A 15-passenger van
∙ New choir robes
∙ Male chorus shirts with the Rehoboth logo
∙ Fellowship hall retiling
∙ New kitchen appliances
∙ Renovated restrooms
∙ Upgraded office and tech ministry equipment
∙ Musical instruments and worship enhancements
On November 8, 2010, the church voted to change its name from Rehoboth Primitive Baptist Church to Rehoboth Baptist Church. The change was officially recorded with the Secretary of State.
On April 11, 2012, Pastor Hendricks submitted a Letter of Request for Membership to join the St. John Regular Baptist Association. Approval was granted on May 2, 2012, after a unanimous vote at the Association’s Board Meeting on April 29, 2012.
On April 21, 2012, the IRS approved Rehoboth’s 501(c)(3) status under the organization name “Rebuilding Broken Communities.”
God has abundantly blessed us, and since Pastor Hendricks’s appointment, over 120 members have joined and/or been baptized at Rehoboth Baptist Church.
A Home for the Future
Pastor Hendricks had a vision of another location, and under his leadership, Rehoboth purchased 2.9 acres of land at 5306 Samuel Huston Avenue.
In 2013. That property was sold, and a new property was purchased at 6315 Wilcab Road. In December of 2023, the property on Wilcab was sold along with the original edifice at 5303 Samuel Huston Avenue, and Rehoboth acquired its new home at 8341 Cross Park and renovations began for a new sanctuary.
God truly has made room for us (He made room for Rehoboth). We are especially grateful for the faithful service of Deacon James C. Harris, who worked tirelessly until his passing in March 2023.
Following the passing of Deacon Harris, our Deacons and other members of the congregation took up the mantle and moved the project forward. Giving their time, effort, resources, connections and money to aide in the completion of the renovations on our new church home.
In all phases, God’s hand has clearly and evidently been upon us, and on May 4, 2025, the Rehoboth Church family and guests gathered just outside the front entry for prayer abc then officially entered through the doors of the main sanctuary singing: “REHOBOTH,” written by Jonathan Nelson. Without a lot of pomp and circumstance, a spirit-filled worship occurred at 11am and Pastor Hendricks preached. At 3pm Pastor M.D. Harvey and the St. John College Heights Baptist Church were our guests.
Looking Ahead
With God, all things are possible. As we move forward into the unknown, we do so with God as our guide, Rev. Ray Hendricks as our leader, and faith as our stronghold.