Black Visionaries Behind Houston’s Foundations
While Houston’s skyline tells a story of rapid growth and innovation, the deeper history—one built by Black architects, laborers, and craftsmen—remains largely ignored. These trailblazers constructed neighborhoods, schools, churches, and civic spaces that still stand today, yet their names are missing from the plaques and pages of history.
John S. Chase: Texas’ First Black Licensed Architect
A key figure in this hidden narrative is John S. Chase, who became the first licensed Black architect in Texas in 1950 and the first African American to enroll at the University of Texas School of Architecture. Chase’s legacy includes the design of numerous churches, homes, and educational buildings, especially at Texas Southern University. His work blended mid-century modernism with cultural identity, offering a sense of dignity and pride to Black communities during a time of deep segregation.
Black Hands Built More Than Buildings
But Chase was not alone. Generations of Black carpenters, masons, and builders shaped Houston’s historic Black neighborhoods like Third Ward, Fourth Ward (Freedmen’s Town), and Fifth Ward. Structures such as Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, founded by formerly enslaved people in 1866, still stand as symbols of resilience. These builders worked in hostile conditions, often barred from unions and pub- lic projects, yet their craftsmanship laid the foundation for much of the city’s early infrastructure.
Time to Tell the Full Story
As Houston continues to evolve, it’s time to recognize those who built it—literally. We must ensure their contributions are honored, documented, and preserved. The city’s history is incomplete without the names, faces, and blueprints of the Black architects who shaped it.
Their legacy is not forgotten— it’s rising again with every truth we tell.
