In 1959, Antioch Missionary Baptist Church was organized in the home of Brother and Sister O. Polk on Sunbeam in Houston, Texas. The first worship service was held in the home of Sister Betty Tidwell and her brother Reverend Charles Hamilton on Sierra Drive. There were a total of 15 members when the first worship was held.
Pastor Sherman West was the called and appointed shepherd that would lead Antioch. Under the dynamic leadership of Pastor Sherman West, the church was able to purchase a lot at Ashville Drive, where 54 years later the church still resides. In 1970, two more lots were purchased for the second addition of the church to be built. In 1977, another lot was purchased in efforts to accommodate the growth the church was experiencing.
As the word was being preached, God saw fit to call Associate Pastor Herman West to the ministry of preaching and teaching the word of God. In December of 1987, Antioch officially changed the name of the church to “SOUTHEAST COMMUNITY CHURCH, The Fellowship of Learning, Loving and Living”. The name was instituted after a saturation of prayer, a season of study and majority support from the congregation.
The three basic reasons for this new direction were:
- Pastor Sherman West was inspired by the spiritual pattern of churches being known by location rather than denomination.
- The increased spiritual potential of reaching all men
- The enhanced social perception designed to accommodate, not alienate.
SOUTHEAST COMMUNITY CHURCH was born that December and has continued to be a pillar in the Sunny Side community for over 54 years. Our beloved Pastor Sherman West was called home to be with the Lord in 1999 and in March 2000, the mantle was passed Pastor Thurman H. West when he was installed as Senior Pastor of SOUTHEAST COMMUNITY CHURCH.
Under the leadership of Pastor Thurman H. West the Church has grown dramatically. Pastor Thurman H. West established what is known as the Faith 5000 Scholarship Program that has blessed many high school graduates as well as college graduates. Pastor West believes that we must think outside the box to reach the lost. Pastor West has a simple vision and that is to reach thousands and bring them closer to Christ.