2024 CHURCH OFFICERS

SLOAN MEMORIAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Local Church Officers for 2024
Lay Leaders – Edith Clarke and Leroy Johnson
Lay Delegate to Annual Conference – Relia Scott
Administrative Council Chairperson – Diane Lastrape Thomas
Recording Secretary Administrative Council – Mary Guidry
Finance Committee Chairperson – Lillie Ballard
Treasurers – Edith Clarke and Donielle Sweat
Financial Secretary – Mary Guidry
Counters – Isabella Potts, Relia Scott, Bonita Billings, Roberta Withers, Maudell Simon
A.A.R.P. President – Leroy Johnson
United Methodist Men – Allen Goodlow
United Methodist Women – Edith Clarke
Church Historian – Lillie Ballard

MINISTRY OF NURTURE

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.”
– Proverbs 16:3
 
Purpose:  To make faith practical in everyday life; that is, to provide programs and activities that will glorify God, and care for our congregation and community which will empower them to grow in their spiritual lives.
Sunday School Superintendent – Harold Hempstead
Stewardship – Edith Clarke
Membership – Diane Lastrape Thomas
Christian Education – Patricia A. Jefferson
Worship – Breorna Wyatt
Small Group Ministries & AAOD Representative – LaVerne Guillory
Music Ministry Coordinator/Musician – Paulette Williams
Percussionist – Linus Anderson
Prayer Ministry – Rev. Leroy (Lee) Elder and Rev. Nadine Graham

INTERGENERATIONAL OUTREACH MINISTRY

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
– Hebrews 13:8
 
Purpose:  To intentionally connect, through coordination and collaboration, in support of healthy families and organizations, and emerging partnerships in our mission field, with programs and ministry activities that are dedicated to both practical skills development and the deepening of individuals’ relationships with God through inclusive faith formation events.

Family Ministries – Arthur and Bonita Billings
Older Adult Ministries – Pshaun Hopkins
Youth Sunday School – Joan Baxter & Tichina Ellis
Youth Worship – Gloria Smith
Children’s Ministries – Bonita Billings
UMYF Representative – Alexandria Mitchell
Young Adult Ministries – Ashley and Chantell Goodlow
Visitation Team – Lillie Ballard & Darlene Nunn
Hospitality – Debra Tate, Phequita L. Stafford
Ushers – Janice Paul
Health and Welfare – Orange Wyatt, Jr.
Website Communications – Brenda Wyatt
Internet Communications – Phequita Lastrape Stafford
Media Ministry – Arthur Billings
Audiovisual Ministry – Ashley Goodlow
 
LAY LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE 
Chaired by Rev. Leroy (Lee) Elder – Pastor
 
Class of 2022: Roberta Withers, Daniel Sweat, LaVerne Guillory
Class of 2023: Breorna Wyatt, Patrick Scott, Jonell Charles
Class of 2024: Pshaun Hopkins, Janet Willis
 
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Russell Graham, Chairperson
 
Class of 2022: Orange Wyatt, Arthur Billings
Class of 2023: Guy Guidry, Alvin Colquitt, Rochelle Lastrape
Class of 2024: Russell Graham, Debra Tate, Harold Hempstead
 
STAFF PARISH RELATIONS COMMITTEE
Chairperson Relia Scott
 
Class of 2022: Jonell Charles, Beverly Giles, Maudell Simon
Class of 2023: Debra Tate, Darlene Nunn, Bethany Billings
Class of 2024: Relia Scott, Patricia Jefferson
 

♦ CHURCH HISTORY ♦

SLOAN MEMORIAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH  1 8 8 0 – 2 0 2 4

SLOAN MEMORIAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, one of the oldest black churches in Houston, was started in 1880 by Rev. Ed Roscoe, who served as the first pastor, with the assistance of Rev. George Davis and Rev. James Smith. The organizational meeting was held under a tent at the current location. In 1881, church trustees – Wash Breed, Frank Miller, Enoch Sherman, Will Love, Tom Stewart, and Dick Thomas purchased the property from J. E. Foster, a local realtor. Since the land was located on Sloan Street, later renamed Sydnor Street, the original congregation name was SLOAN STREET METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
 
Struggling through years of trials and discouragements, the determined founding fathers survived to create a church of prominence with a foundation of great depth. In 1883, Sloan Street Church, with a membership of 31, made her first report to the Annual Conference held in Paris, Texas.
 
In 1896, with the Rev. C. C. Curtis as pastor, the first musical instrument, an organ, was purchased by Brother William Wyndon for $40 and given to the church. This organ, of 19th century vintage, is one of the oldest archives still in the church today.
 
The first sanctuary and parsonage were destroyed by fire in 1912. During the construction of a new chapel, worship services were held in a frame building at the corner of Meadow and Nance streets. Additional facilities were completed during a 1950 building program.
 
In recognition of Sloan’s faithful service in the Houston community under the guidance of our Heavenly Father, dedicated clergy, and committed servants of God, a historical marker was erected on the church property in 1981, and dedicated on the occasion of the church’s 100th anniversary celebration.
 
A historical institution indeed! Sloan Memorial United Methodist Church continues to stand tall as it reaches out to bring new life and new hope in fulfilling the call of the “great commission” – to make disciples for Jesus Christ.
 
 

Historical Facts About Sloan Memorial United Methodist Church

DID YOU KNOW THAT? 
  • Sloan Memorial United Methodist Church, one of the oldest black churches in Houston, was started in 1880 by Rev. Ed Roscoe, who served as its first pastor.
  • The original congregational name was SLOAN STREET METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH , since the land where the church was located was on “Sloan Street”, later renamed Sydnor Street.
  • In 1883, with a membership of 31, Sloan made her first report to the Annual Conference held in Paris, Texas.
  • Sloan’s first musical instrument, an organ, was purchased in 1896 by Brother William Wyndon, for $40, and given to the church. This organ, of 19th century vintage, is one of the oldest archives still in the church’s possession today.
  • The first sanctuary and parsonage were destroyed by fire in 1912 and worship services were held in a frame building on the corner of Nance and Meadow streets.
  • In recognition of Sloan’s faithful service in the Houston community, a historical marker was erected on the church property in 1981, and dedicated on the occasion of the church’s 100th anniversary celebration. Sloan UMC maintains this “historical recognition” and looks forward to erecting a new marker at the site of its forthcoming worship center.
  • Numerous artifacts and documents from Sloan’s rich history are housed at Houston’s Gregory Lincoln Museum of Afro-American History.
  • Sloan’s legacy is rich in service and commitment to making disciples for Christ; but, THE BEST IS YET TO COME!
 
 
1880 – Rev. Ed Roscoe
1883 – Rev. Allen Harris
1896 – Rev. C. C. Curtis
1912 – Rev. Freeman Parker
1913 – Rev. C. E. D. Belcher
From 1914 to 1935 – Eight Ministers Served
From 1935 to 1937 – Rev. A. W. Carr
From 1937 to 1955 – Rev. J. C. Stripling
From 1955 to 1965 – Rev. L. V. Winfield
From 6/1965 to 1970 – Rev. C. C. Jammer, Sr.
From 6/1970 to 1978 – Rev. Charles King Hayes
From 6/1978 to 1982 – Rev. Simon Snell
From 6/1982 to 1990 – Rev. Nathaniel H. McGinnis, Sr.
From 6/1990 to 1993 – Rev. Samuel Jenkins
From 6/1993 to 1996 – Rev. Dr. Sara Gertrude Johnson
From 6/1996 to 1997 – Rev. Paul Polk
From 6/1997 to 1998 – Rev. Dr. Sara Gertrude Johnson
From 6/1998 to 2002 – Rev. Dollie Humphrey
From 6/2002 to 1/2005 – Rev. C. C. Jammer, Jr.
From 1/2005 to 2007 – Rev. Isiah Lee, Jr.
From 6/2007 to 2009 – Rev. Develous A. Bright
From 6/2009 to 2017 – Rev. Joseph Rodney Wilson, Sr.
From 7/2017 to 6/2018 – Rev. Anjelita Dirden
From 7/2018 to 7/2019 – Rev. Nadine Graham
From 7/2019 to 7/2021 – Rev. Oscar L. Chambers, Jr.
7/2021 to Present – Rev. Leroy Elder