New Texas historical marker recognizes 135-year-old Salem Institutional Baptist Church

It was a celebratory day for the congregation of the 135-year old Salem Institutional Baptist Church, as a new Texas historical marker was unveiled on Nov. 10.

“This historical marker brings recognition to the Black churches,” says the Rev. Barbara Taylor. She’s been involved with Salem since 2022 as an intern, as she works towards her Masters of Divinity degree. “We’re not a megachurch; we’re a community church, and this marker shows all of the hard work that we have done for decades in Sunny South Dallas.” 

Salem Institutional Baptist Church’s historical significance can be traced back to 1888. Although the church has moved to different buildings throughout the years, the worship services have always been rooted in South Dallas. Since 1963, the church has been at the crossroads of Eugene, Latimer and Crozier streets.

Inside the 61-year-old church on the day of the unveiling, gold chandeliers dangle over the rows of brown pews. The Billie Kerl Roberts Youth Chorale has people standing, singing and clapping to the rhythm of the music. Local dignitaries are present, such as Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price and District Clerk Felicia Pitre.

Esther Louise Williams grew up in the church. She remembers attending services when the church was at 710 Bourbon Street.

“Every Sunday me and my family came down to Salem. We hardly missed a day of service, and that’s a lot of Sundays that I ain’t missed over the years” Williams says.

Williams was part of the Salem Institutional Baptist Church 14-member historical focus committee created in March 2022. She and other committee members organized photos, pamphlets and newspaper clippings dating back to 1888. The committee’s goal was to solidify a timeline and provide tangible proof of the decades-long historical impact the church has had in South Dallas to qualify for the Texas Historical Marker.

“There’s some people who still come to church that came in the late ’30s, early ’40s,” Williams says. “I am 77-years-old. We’re not just a church; we’re a community. It’s such an honor to have us recognized like this.”

A Texas historical marker signifies that the church played a significant role in local and state history. Typically, markers provide a brief description of the history of the space that is being commemorated. A marker present on property also serves as a symbol of preservation of Texas’ history that has impacted thousands of people throughout the years. A space earning its marker means that the structure has a traceable history showing its influence on its surrounding communities. 

A major barrier that Black residents faced during the Jim Crow Era was access to education. It was during these times that Salem served as a center to educate Black youth.

During the Civil Rights Era, many Black residents from South Dallas encountered discrimination in public spaces and in the workplace. White businesses did not want to employ Black residents, so Salem played a role in providing space for political organizers to band together to address the racism surrounding them, and was a hub for civic engagement and support. 

South Dallas community activist and leader, Diane Ragsdale, who has been a lifelong advocate for her community to have a decent standard of living, attended the unveiling.

“Our history is important. We’re here to celebrate and honor our ancestors who made this event possible,” Ragsdale says. “Salem Baptist Church has served as a social justice platform and a central place for activism in our community. It’s a place of healing for the oppressed.”