Texas Archival Resources Online

TABLE OF CONTENTS


Descriptive Summary

Biographical Note

Scope and Contents

Arrangement

Restrictions

Index Terms

Related Material

Administrative Information

Description of Series

Manuscripts

Photographic Materials

Houston Public Library, Houston Metropolitan Research Center

The Vanita E. Crawford Antioch Baptist Church Collection:

An Inventory of Its Records at the Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public Library



Descriptive Summary

CreatorCrawford, Vanita E.
TitleThe Vanita E. Crawford Antioch Baptist Church Collection
Date1940-1969
Identification:MSS 0192
Extent: 2 Document boxes, 1.0 linear feet
LanguageMaterials are in English.
RepositoryHouston 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.

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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.

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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.

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Restrictions

Use Restrictions

None

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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

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Related Material

RG I 7: The Antioch Baptist Church Collection.

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Administrative Information

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

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Detailed Description

 

Manuscripts

boxfolder
11Dramatic history of Antioch Baptist Church by Mrs. Vanita Crawford, 1975
2Jones Band of Antioch Baptist Church
3Lights Band of Antioch Baptist Church
4Miller Band of Antioch Baptist Church
5Munson Band of Antioch Baptist Church
6Powell Band of Antioch Baptist Church
7Prayer Band of Antioch Baptist Church
8Priscilla Band of Antioch Baptist Church
9Ruth Band of Antioch Baptist Church
10Sharkie Band of Antioch Baptist Church
11Star Light Band of Antioch Baptist Church
12Yates Band of Antioch Baptist Church
13Red Circle Girls of Antioch Baptist Church
14Prayer Committee of Antioch Baptist Church
15Women's Missionary Society of Antioch Baptist Church, 1947-1957
16Women's Missionary Society Annual 1-Day Institute, 1949-1966
17General Missionary Society of Antioch Baptist Church, 1950-1962
18Educational Program of General Missionary Society, 1956-1962
19Program, 75th Anniversary Celebration of Antioch Baptist Church Missionary Society, 1960
20Miscellaneous Material, Antioch Baptist Church Missionary Society
21The Ethel Ransom Federated Club of Houston
22The Married Ladies Social Art and Charity Club of Houston, 1954
23Program, National Baptist Sunday School Congress, Houston, 1941
24Annual National Baptist Convention, 1948-1958
25Texas Baptist Women's Convention, 1965
26The Antioch Baptist Church Way, 1947
27Antioch Baptist Church Funeral Notices, 1943-1959
28Proclamation, "Black Women's Unity Day," by Houston Mayor Fred Hofheinz, 1974
29Dr. Fredda Witherspoon, daughter of Mrs. Vanita Crawford and Mr. R.H. Crawford
30Miscellaneous Material, 1941-1961

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Photographic Materials

boxfolder
21-73Photographs
NOTE: Identification Sheets for individual photographs are all together in a separate folder in the front of this box.

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