Part 1

Our church was organized by the late Rey. A.R. Griggs in 1884 and was located on Montezuma Street which was very near the second location, 902 North Good-Latimer Expressway.

The original name was Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church. In 1907 a one-story frame building was erected under the pastorate of Dr. L.K. Williams. In 1922 the church erected a four-story brick building under the pastorate of Dr. E. Arlington Wilson.

In 1934 the Good Street Missionary Baptist Church came forth from Macedonia. Dr. T.M. Chambers was the first pastor and served for fourteen years. During his pastorate the membership grew considerably; the church debt was paid off and the entire building was redecorated and refurnished. On Sunday morning, December 26, 1946 the entire church was burned to the ground. The church held its Sunday services at the Booker T. Washington High School while the new building was under construction. The first service was held on the "Old Spot", 902 North Good-Latimer Expressway on December 25, 1947. The church held its first service in the new church building which was completed and furnished on May 23, 1948. Dr. Chambers served as pastor for two more years before moving to Los Angeles, California to become Pastor of Zion Hill.

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Part 2

On September 10, 1950, Dr. Caesar Clark began his pastorate. Dr. Clark, a young man with a vision and ability, began by organizing new groups and strengthening all the old groups by giving them a workable program. Many are the activities and achievements since Dr. Clark came to the church. Some are as follows: The church has purchased two parsonages - the first located at 2706 Tanner Street at a cost of $8,500.00; the second located at 2423 South Boulevard at a cost of $17,500.00. The latter is now occupied by Pastor Clark, and completely furnished at a cost of $7,000.00.

In 1952, under the direction of Dr. Clark, the church purchased a beautiful church building located in South Dallas, 3126 Hatcher Street for the church's extension program at a cost of $72,000.00. The property, now known as the Good Street Church Community Center houses the church's nursery and kindergarten. A community service organization caring for 250 children daily. In connection with this program the church has purchased and paid for a 70-passenger school bus, which transports the children to and from the nursery school; and two 9-passenger station wagons and one Volkswagen.

In 1954 the church assumed all expenses of approximately $1,000.00 to send Pastor Clark to Anchorage, Alaska on a preaching mission sponsored by the Southern Baptist Convention.

When Dr. Clark accepted the pastorate, the church owed a mortgage debt of $40,000. To this outstanding debt, approximately $128,200.00 in property and equipment has been added. In January, 1960 the church burned the mortgage on this debt.

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Part 3

In 1964, under the very careful planning of Pastor Clark, the Good Street Charitable Foundation - a non-profit corporation was formed. This corporation of which Pastor Clark is president, is sponsor of the Good Haven Apartments located at 1810 High Hill Boulevard and South Corinth Street in the East Oak Cliff section of Dallas covering approximately 19,439 acre tract of land. The development contains 332 units which have central air and heat and purchased at a cost of $3,048,100. A nursery and kindergarten school are also housed on the same site.

As the membership continued to grow and the growth of the city continued to push toward our present location, the space situation proved inadequate. With the combined faith and trust in God, the membership, under the guidance of Pastor Clark, sought to purchase another property on which a new sanctuary could be erected.

There was an old saying that, "if a Pastor does not build a new church in the first ten years of his pastorate, he will never build one." That saying was as untrue then as it is now!

In the late Fall of 1960, Pastor Clark called together Deacons M.C. Harris, Nathaniel Spigner, Felix E. Wilson, the late J.J. I-Eggs, the late B.E. Howell and the late I.H. Clayborn to discuss the possibility of building a new church. The recommendation from this meeting was presented to the full Deacon Board and heads of the auxiliaries. Unanimously the recommendation was accepted. Afterwards, it was presented to the church body and the majority of the membership favorably voted for the recommendation. The first plan was to build a church on the property that had been purchased in 1952 on the comer of Hatcher and Roberts Streets. Underground parking was to be included as a part of construction at this location. However, it was soon discovered that the cost would be prohibitive to build on this property.; therefore, the plan was dissolved.

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Part 4

After looking at numerous existing buildings and other church structures, none met the expectations of the membership. The Pastor charged Deacon Nathaniel Spigner, Chairperson, all members of the Building Committee and church members to seek a more suitable property. In 1969, a possible site was located by Deacon Alto McGowan and the late Deacon Preston Martin in the Oak Cliff area located at 31 10 Bonnie View Road. The Chairperson, the Building Committee and the Membership investigated the property and location. 7 1/2 acres of land on a hill overlooking downtown Dallas once known as the Miller's Plantation was purchased at a cost of $40,000.00. Our present building was erected at a cost of $650,000.00. After the property was purchased, Sis. Georgia McGowan suggested the idea to present "A Tea Under The Tent". On May 25, 1969 this was the first activity held on the grounds. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held later in 1969.

Upon approval of the architectural designs by the Chairperson, the Building Committee and the Membership, and after securing a 15 year loan, construction began to erect the new Good Street Baptist Church edifice. On Sunday morning May 3, 1970, our Parade Marshall, Deacon Felix E. Wilson led the Good Street Baptist Church Membership from the "old church" at 902 Good Latimer Expressway to the "new church" at 3110 Bonnie View Road, Dallas, Texas.

By the grace of God, from May 3, 1970 through July 23, 1981 payments on the church note were always timely. An overall assessment of the church mortgage indebtedness was made the latter part of 1980, and Pastor Clark recommended that an effort be made to pay off the mortgage. To this end, each member of the church was asked to pay $300 between January 1, 1981 and the first Sunday in August, 198 1. Our slogan for this drive was "Get It Done In '81 and we did "get it done in '81 ".

One year later in 1982 through April 17, 1983, a Learning Center attached to our original church building was erected at a cost of $350,000.00. The church was valued at $1,000,000.00.

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Part 5

In March 1991 the church began construction on a new community center at 3126 Hatcher Street. On March 23, 1992 the C.A.W. Clark Community Center was opened, The construction cost was $1,000,000.00. Today, the Community Center is the location of our Deacon's Retreat.

Bro. James Upshaw came up with a wonderful idea in 1990. The C.A.W. Clark Scholarship Fund. In July, 1993 we held our first annual banquet. Potential applicants must have a 2.0 GPA and submit a 500 word essay on a particular subject.

July 10, 1994 two granite stone benches were dedicated to the loving memory of Sis. Minnie Boyd from her family. Sis. Boyd always had a kind word or a smile to share with everyone and she got tired of standing while waiting for her ride to pick her up. This is Sis. Boyd way of saying "come and rest on me while you wait for your ride."

During the years of his ministry and pastorate at Good Street Baptist Church, Rev. Clark grew in favor with God and man. He justified the faith and devotion of his members in his ability as a great leader. He was skilled in administration, had a sympathetic understanding and love of people. His generosity and unshakable faith in God  enabled him to lead Good Street Baptist Church to heights undreamed of.

With deep humility and sincere faith in God, this congregation looks ahead to many years of fruitful service. Good Street is proud of its past history, but it rejoices in the privilege that is still Hers to serve God and humanity.

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