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Austin proclaims St. John Regular Baptist Association Day; council cites 158-year history and $30,000 preservation planning grant after recent fire
Summary
Councilmember Chito Vela presented a proclamation marking St. John Regular Baptist Association Day, noted the association's founding in 1867 and discussed a recent fire and a $30,000 city historic preservation planning grant to study restoration of the tabernacle.
Councilmember Chito Vela presented a proclamation recognizing the St. John Regular Baptist District Association and described the association's long history and the tabernacle's significance to Austin's African American heritage.
Vela said the association dates to the post-Civil War era when four Black clergymen founded it in 1867 and called the tabernacle "a critical part" of Austin and Central Texas history. "The tabernacle there in the St. John neighborhood is the most historic structure in District 4 and quite possibly one of the most historic structures in the city of Austin," Vela said.
Moderator Mayes accepted the proclamation on the association's behalf and reminded the audience that the recognition honors many people "especially those who've gone before us." Mayes noted the association will mark 158 years of continued existence this year.
Vela and Moderator Mayes discussed a recent fire at the tabernacle and said the city has granted a historic preservation planning grant of $30,000 to begin discussions about restoring and preserving the building and telling the association's history. Vela said he is committed to working with association members on preservation plans and that a larger announcement will come later.
The ceremony was a recognition of history and a status update on preservation planning; no formal funding award beyond the planning grant was announced at the meeting.
