Descriptive Summary
Crawford, Vanita
E.
The Vanita E. Crawford
Antioch Baptist Church Collection
1940-1969Materials
are in English.
MSS 0192
2 Document boxes, 1.0
linear feet
Houston Metropolitan Research Center,
Houston Public Library
Biographical Note
Mrs. Vanita Crawford, born in Washington, Texas, in 1900, moved to
Houston in 1911 and became a member of the city's oldest surviving black
church, Antioch Baptist, two years later. In the decades that followed she was
a leader in many church activities, most importantly as the President of the
Mission Society from the 1940s until the 1960s. She was also active in the Band
organizations of the church, whose membership was initially limited to women
but later opened to men as well. Band members visited those who were infirm or
ill, ran sewing classes, provided food and clothing to those in need, and in
general tried to be helpmates to people who required assistance. At the same
time as Mrs. Crawford gave unstintingly of her time to the church, she earned
her livelihood as a caterer, while her husband, R.H. Crawford, worked for over
50 years as an employee of the Missouri Pacific Railroad.
Scope and Contents
This collection, donated by Mrs. Crawford, provides researchers with a
good cross-section of historical materials, including correspondence,
photographs, press clippings and organizational records which will be of
special value to those with an interest in black history, as well as women's
history and the history of religion in Houston.
Arrangement
The first box of material in this collection is composed of documents
which are arranged chronologically according to type, as indicated on the
following Container List. The second box contains photographs, most of which
are fully identified as to date, place, and contents.
Use Restrictions
None
Preferred Citation
The Vanita E. Crawford Antioch Baptist Church Collection. Houston
Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public Library
Acquisition Information
Donated by Vanita E. Crawford
Processing Information
Processed by Howard Beeth, July 21, 1982
Index Terms
Subjects
African American
churches--Texas--Houston
African American
women--Texas--Houston
African
Americans--Texas--Houston
Churches,
Baptist--Texas--Houston
Women in church
work--Texas--Houston
Organizations
Antioch Baptist Church
(Houston, Tex.)
Black Woman's Unity Day, Houston, Tex.,
1974
Ethel Ransom Art and
Literary Club (Houston, Tex.)
Married Ladies Social,
Art and Charity Club (Houston, Tex.)
National Baptist
Convention of America
National Baptist Sunday School Congress.
Meeting (1941 : Houston, Texas)
Texas Baptist Women's Convention
Other Names
Crawford, Vanita
E.
Witherspoon,
Fredda
Related Material
RG I 7: The Antioch Baptist Church Collection.
Detailed Description
Manuscripts
1
1
Dramatic history of Antioch Baptist Church by Mrs.
Vanita Crawford,
1975
1
2
Jones Band of Antioch Baptist Church
1
3
Lights Band of Antioch Baptist Church
1
4
Miller Band of Antioch Baptist Church
1
5
Munson Band of Antioch Baptist Church
1
6
Powell Band of Antioch Baptist Church
1
7
Prayer Band of Antioch Baptist Church
1
8
Priscilla Band of Antioch Baptist Church
1
9
Ruth Band of Antioch Baptist Church
1
10
Sharkie Band of Antioch Baptist Church
1
11
Star Light Band of Antioch Baptist Church
1
12
Yates Band of Antioch Baptist Church
1
13
Red Circle Girls of Antioch Baptist Church
1
14
Prayer Committee of Antioch Baptist Church
1
15
Women's Missionary Society of Antioch Baptist Church,
1947-1957
1
16
Women's Missionary Society Annual 1-Day Institute,
1949-1966
1
17
General Missionary Society of Antioch Baptist Church,
1950-1962
1
18
Educational Program of General Missionary Society,
1956-1962
1
19
Program, 75th Anniversary Celebration of Antioch Baptist
Church Missionary Society,
1960
1
20
Miscellaneous Material, Antioch Baptist Church
Missionary Society
1
21
The Ethel Ransom Federated Club of Houston
1
22
The Married Ladies Social Art and Charity Club of
Houston,
1954
1
23
Program, National Baptist Sunday School Congress,
Houston,
1941
1
24
Annual National Baptist Convention,
1948-1958
1
25
Texas Baptist Women's Convention,
1965
1
26
The Antioch Baptist Church
Way,
1947
1
27
Antioch Baptist Church Funeral Notices,
1943-1959
1
28
Proclamation, "Black Women's Unity Day," by Houston
Mayor Fred Hofheinz,
1974
1
29
Dr. Fredda Witherspoon, daughter of Mrs. Vanita Crawford
and Mr. R.H. Crawford
1
30
Miscellaneous Material,
1941-1961
Photographic Materials
2
1-73
Photographs
NOTE: Identification Sheets
for individual photographs are all together in a separate folder in the front
of this box.