Antioch MBC

By Rebecca S. Jones Rev. Floyd Nathaniel Williams, Sr. was born into a family of preachers, community activists and prominent political affiliation. As a lad, he watched his father and grandfather the late Rev. Mike Williams face police brutality and all of the ills associated with strong vocal Black leaders in that era, who combatted social injustice and inequality. His father, the late Rev. M.C. Williams was a fervent force in the community and held dominant ties in the political and educational arenas. At one point there was only one school which residents of the Acreage Home community could attend, White Oak School, located on West Montgomery. No matter how far of a distance students had to walk or travel, it was the only learning institution readily available to them. Through the continued efforts of Rev. M.C. Williams, another school was eventually opened, Highland Heights. It was later named in his honor, M.C. Williams Middle School. Being reared the son of a pastor, Williams began to sense a call to the ministry. He surrendered to that call in 1945, at the age of 16. First, he earned a Bachelor of Divinity Degree in Extended Studies from Bishop College. Thereafter, he was called to lead the Greater Union Baptist Church in Matthews, Texas. From 1951 to 1958, Rev. Williams served at Friendship Baptist Church in Eagle Lake, and St. John Baptist Church in Beaumont. After the passing of his father in 1958, he succeeded him as Pastor of the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, located at 5902 Beall Street – where he still serves until this day. Rev. Williams was the first pastor to implement an athletic program outside of school, at the church. Although criticized by other ministers, pastors and the Forward Times newspaper, he never forsook the God-given vision he received – to reach and restore the youth of the community. It was through this vision, that the Lord produced four ministers who were brought in off of the streets and changed their lives around. Rev. Williams was responsible for the establishment of Houston’s, Northwest Water District. He also took […]