Roans Chapel: Community Central |
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The Ford Family has a very strong Christian background. The first church, that is recorded, that most of the family was raised in was Roans Chapel Baptist Church. Roans Chapel Baptist Church was founded in 1881 in College Station, TX, and still is in existence today. It is the oldest predominately African American church in College Station. In its earlier years it had a congregation of over 300 members, but due to the passing away and migrating of generations, today it has a congregation of 65. When interviewed by a local paper, Eleanor Williams, the daughter of Viola Ford Toliver, stated, ".the church may be small in size, but it's big in heart ... and has major pulpit talent. |
Roans Chapel was the spiritual center of the community, as well as the Ford Family. George Ford Sr. and Kermit Ford died Roans Chapel deacons; Sam Ford Jr. and Webb Ford were singers in the Roans Chapel Quartet; Kermit Ford was Superintendent of Sunday school and George Ford Jr. was Assistant Superintendent of Sunday school; and George Ford Jr. was Chairman of the Deacon Board. The women were volunteers of the church and spent many happy hours serving the Lord and fellowshipping at church. Most of the earlier generations of the Ford Family is buried at the Roans Chapel Cemetery, which is located next door to the church. All of our family reunions that took place in Texas, always end at Roans Chapel Church. That is how important this church has been to our history. The next time you are in College Station, you should go visit them. Roans Chapel Baptist Church |