At the heart of Reverend William A. Lawson’s legacy sits his work founding the iconic Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church.
After news broke of Lawson’s passing, the church founded by the local civil rights icon in 1962 posted, “He has completed his time of service here on earth and is now enjoying eternal rest.”
And if the amount of work in this realm correlates to the rest enjoyed in the next, Lawson is certainly resting well.
Building Wheeler Avenue
The Texas transplant by way of Kansas City literally built Wheeler out of his work at Texas Southern University (TSU). But Lawson was clear to let the world know that the tenor and character of Wheeler was inspired by the fire that burned in the heart of his wife, Audrey, who passed away in 2015.
“‘Honey, you cannot have a church with just preaching and singing. You’re going to have to reach out into the neighborhood and somehow be involved with the problems of people in the neighborhoods,'” shared Lawson, recounting his wife’s words. “So, I thought of this new church as being a church that was going to be both religion and social movement.”
And what better place to locate this new church than a stone’s throw away from where Lawson served as leader of TSU’s Baptist Student Union?
The church Lawson founded with 13 members now boasts a congregation of 12,000.
Lawson’s ministerial impact stretched far beyond Wheeler’s walls. He became known as the “Father of Houston’s civil rights movement” because he literally offered support and leadership to those TSU students who struck the first blow of protest with their sit-in at the Almeda Rd. Weingarten’s on March 4, 1960.
There was hardly a justice and equality-related issue between Lawson’s ministry founding in the early 1960s until his passing that he was not intimately involved with. And when Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. visited Houston and no churches would open their doors to him, it was Lawson who welcomed MLK and provided him with a speaking venue.
During Beto O’Rourke’s 2022 bid to become governor of Texas, he stopped by Lawson’s home to seek advice and encouragement from Houston’s elder statesmen.
Here’s what Lawson told O’Rourke:
“I’m glad to be part of the campaign and I hope you can help us get Greg Abbott out of that seat. The people who are campaigning against you are doing some pretty ugly, off-the-table stuff. I certainly hope that we can get Greg Abbott out, which is a good part of your campaign. And waking up day after day to another murder means that we are watching a time when guns are more and more available.
“I’m perfectly willing to be heard wherever I can. It will be difficult for me to talk very much, but I’m going to be backing people like you so that at least the city will know how I feel.”
Despite Lawson’s retirement from the pastorate in 2004 and his recent passing, his impact continues to permeate Houston via the countless pastors he counseled.
Local Ministers Reflect on Rev Lawson’s Impact
Here’s what some local ministers had to say about Rev. Lawson’s impact on their lives personally and upon the city of Houston:
Dr. Rudy Rasmus, Pastor Emeritus, St. John’s Downtown
Pastor Lawson was an early mentor and one of the few leaders who consistently practiced what he preached throughout his life and ministry.
Bishop John D. Ogletree Jr., Pastor, First Metropolitan Church
Rev. Bill Lawson was an iconic spiritual leader who was the moral conscience for justice in our city. Every advancement of oppressed and marginalized people in Houston can be traced back to him. I will cherish his legacy.
Dr. D. Z. Cofield, Senior Pastor, Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church
Rev. William A. Lawson was a man who brought class, elegance, integrity and excellence to ministry. His commitment to the cause of Christ, the Houston community and the entire world was unrivaled. He was a light that shined for justice for all people, setting an example for all of us who were privileged to know and be mentored by him. As ministers of the gospel of Jesus Christ we stand on his shoulders with the responsibility to make sure his legacy of loving all people lives on. God bless the Lawson family and the Wheeler Ave. Baptist Church.
Father Rodney Armstrong, Pastor of the Mother of Mercy Parish Fifth Ward
Rev. Lawson, early on was very much in the civil rights movement in the city. He fought for justice for all, regardless of race, color or creed. He was one of the early Protestant ministers who had an ecumenical approach, reaching out to ministers of other faiths, like Arch Bishop Fiorenza and worked together for racial justice. His work was tremendous… racial justice. He was a trailblazer, recognizing he was call to fight for justice, and God’s justice is for everybody.
Rev. Dr. Remus E. Wright, Senior Pastor and Rev. Dr. Mia K. Wright, Co-Pastor, The Fountain of Praise
Only some people will understand their true purpose, destiny, or impact. Rev. Bill Lawson is one of the few. Not only a spiritual leader, he was a remarkable example for pastors and a guide for integrating social justice with civic and spiritual responsibility. He demonstrated courage and service to Houston and beyond. In 2020, we were honored to hear him speak and console the hurting world at the George Floyd funeral hosted at The Fountain of Praise. His words of encouragement inspired millions of people, including ourselves, to continue to fight for justice and equality for all people. We will miss Rev. William Lawson, a giant and faithful servant who humbly signed his notes, Bill. We know his impact will last as we are encouraged to continue the work ahead of us.
D. Kimathi Nelson, Presiding Bishop, Pan African Orthodox Christian Church
Rev. Lawson was the first local minister to welcome the Shrine to Houston. He had read the writings of our founder and believed the Shrine to be an important addition to the Houston community. He supported our efforts to build our ministry publicly and privately. We met and chatted every other Friday morning for years when we went to Maxie’s Barber Shop to get our biweekly haircut. Those conversations have had a great deal of influence on my ministry and my life. His mentorship was invaluable.
Rev. Albert Reed, Pastor, Pleasantville United Methodist Church
He was a trailblazer in the Civil Rights Movement, dealing with equality and fairness. I was raised in a state where racism was high on the scale, and it was inspiring to see and know someone who was a true trailblazer for the rights of all; for civil rights, for justice and for equality.
Dr. James Dixon II, Pastor, Community of Faith Church
Being a mentee under the shadow of Dr. William A. Lawson (since I was 19 uears old) has been an indescribable gift of God’s grace. God used him to cover me, counsel me, correct me and connect me. He was truly a spiritual father to me. We’re all better because this Gentle Giant lived among us. A Pastor. A Prophet. A Freedom Fighter. He never forgot “the least of these.” We will never forget you “Pope Lawson.”
Rev. Marilyn White, Pastor, Trinity East United Methodist Church
Rev. Lawson was truly a mighty man of God who loved his community. He inspired me to work for justice and the abundant life for all people.
Rev. Ray Mackey, Chair, Independence Heights Greater Houston Baptist Ministers Alliance
Pastor Bill Lawson’s quintessential legacy is the epitome of pastoral leadership. His wisdom and spiritual guidance particularly for clergy in Houston as well across our nation will impact us for generations to come! God truly blessed us with his friendship and influence!
Rev. Jeremy Wright, Young Adult Minister, Fountain of Praise
Rev. Lawson was a trendsetter of his time… an awe-inspiring example of excellence in ministry. He will be missed but his legacy endures. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
