Church History
Tallowood Baptist Church became a constituted church on February 18, 1962 with 374 charter members. This was the same year our current pastor was born. It began as a mission of Baptist Temple Church (Heights) in August, 1958; with the name Memorial Baptist Temple. Rev. Howard Linton, a professor at the Institute of Religion, served the first year as interim pastor. The eight acre tract in West Houston at Tallowood Drive and Perthshire was secured in September of 1958. We have grown from the first few families to over 5,200 members with an average worship attendance of 2,300.
Dr. Russell Dilday became the first pastor in August, 1959, from the First Baptist Church in Clifton, Texas, serving ten years until August, 1969, when he accepted the call of Second Ponce De Leon Baptist Church, Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Lester B. Collins, Jr. became the second pastor of Tallowood in December, 1969 and served for 20 years. Dr. Robert Sloan served as an interim for 22 months; Dr. Daniel Vestal was pastor for five years, and Dr. Randall O'Brien served as interim for 14 months. Our current pastor, Dr. Duane Brooks, came on the field May 17, 1998. All have served in denominational leadership roles at the state and national levels. Our immediate past pastor, Daniel Vestal, is the coordinator of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. One former pastor became president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, one is the president of Baylor University and another is the Chairman of the Religion Department at Baylor University.
Ground breaking for the first building of the master plan took place in March, 1960. The most ambitious building program in the history of the church was completed the latter part of 1969 and early 1970. It included the main Worship Center with expanded education and administration space. Prior to entering these new facilities the church had been engaged in triple morning worship services and triple Sunday School programs. We currently have Bible study and worship services Saturday evenings and three services Sunday mornings along with dual Bible study sessions.
Kingsland Mission was begun south of Interstate 10 near Katy on October 2, 1977; it became a church May 17, 1981. In 1980 an International Ministry was begun with Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Spanish congregations meeting at the property. In December, 1981 Tallowood voted to sponsor Graceview Baptist Church as a mission; it is now a church. The most recent mission start is Trinity Baptist Church in Katy. They began meeting on February 22, 2004. They are currently meeting at Beckendorff Jr. High, 8200 South Fry Road. Tallowood also conducts mission activities at nursing homes, apartments, inner city churches as well as member-involved state, national and international ministries.