Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Houston Heights named landmark

The modest wood-frame church has served the neighborhood for nearly a century and has ties to a towering figure in Texas political history.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 10:55am

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Greater Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church on 828 W. 20th St. in Houston's Heights neighborhood was officially designated a historic landmark in late January by the Houston City Council. The church's history intersects with the legacy of Barbara Jordan, the first Black woman from the South elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, as one of its former pastors was her father, Benjamin Meredith (B.M.) Jordan.

Why it matters

Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church's landmark designation highlights the role Black churches played in Houston's civic and cultural history. The landmark status helps preserve the church's heritage and building for the community, preventing it from being torn down like many other historic Black institutions.

The details

The modest wood-frame church was organized on Jan. 1, 1930 by Rev. Henry Thomson and several founding members. The church was rebuilt around 1953, though the architect is unknown. The structure reflects a vernacular church style common in mid-century Houston, featuring a rectangular design with symmetrical towers and a central steeple above the entrance. The Houston Archaeological and Historical Commission unanimously recommended approval of the landmark designation, recognizing the church's place as an important part of the city's heritage.

  • The church was organized on January 1, 1930.
  • The church was rebuilt around 1953.
  • The landmark designation was approved in late January 2026.

The players

Greater Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church

A modest wood-frame church in Houston's Heights neighborhood that has served the community for nearly a century.

Barbara Jordan

A Houston native who became the first Black woman from the South elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and gained national prominence during the Watergate hearings.

Benjamin Meredith (B.M.) Jordan

The father of Barbara Jordan and a former pastor of Greater Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church.

Rev. Henry Thomson

One of the founding members who organized the Greater Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church congregation on January 1, 1930.

Houston City Council

The governing body that officially designated Greater Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church as a historic landmark in late January 2026.

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What they’re saying

“Not only does it preserve the heritage, it preserves the building for the community… a lot of times these buildings are torn down. It's warranted that we honor our historic buildings and institutions.”

— Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, Houston Councilmember (The Defender)

The takeaway

The landmark designation of Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church underscores the important role Black churches have played in shaping Houston's civic and cultural identity. By preserving this historic institution, the city is honoring the legacy of influential figures like Barbara Jordan and ensuring the community's heritage remains intact for future generations.