Toliver Chapel Baptist Church

This congregation grew out of a Sunday school class led by the Rev. I. Toliver, a highly-respected Baptist minister and civic leader in Waco's African American community. The Rev. Toliver, for whom the church is named, organized the Toliver Chapel Baptist Church in July 1895. The Rev. J. Cole was called as first pastor. The church purchased slightly more than four acres in east Waco from W.M. Walton in 1896. The congregation remained at that location until about 1900 when they moved to a sanctuary built across Price Street from this site. Early church members recalled that services were often interrupted by the sounds of interurban rail cars which ran along Price Street. The church prospered and in 1917 a new sanctuary was erected to accommodate an expanding membership. The church continued to grow and by the early 1940s boasted more than 1,100 members. In 1948 a new church building was erected at this site. Facilities which have been added over the years include an educational building and a music chapel. Several prominent area citizens have been members of this congregation. Toliver Chapel Baptist Church continues to maintain active outreach and youth programs in the community. Sesquicentennial of Texas Statehood 1845-1995

Toliver Chapel Baptist Church is a historical marker in Waco, McLennan County, dedicated in 1995. It is one of 198 historical markers documented in McLennan County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 224 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 31.5748, -97.1153 near Waco. The nearest cataloged historic site is Greenwood Cemetery (historical marker), about 0.2 miles away. Others within a short drive include Saint Luke African Methodist Espiscopal Church, Paul Quinn College, and First Church Building in Waco.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5507015141. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.