Remembering Reverend William Lawson: Houston Mourns the Loss of a Beloved Spiritual Leader

The city of Houston, Texas is in mourning after the passing of Reverend William Lawson, a beloved spiritual leader who dedicated his life to serving his community. Reverend Lawson, who passed away at the age of 95, was not only the pastor of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church but also a fierce civil rights advocate and a close friend of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Reverend Lawson made Houston his home in the 1950s and founded Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in the city’s Third Ward. Starting with just 13 members in his living room, Reverend Lawson grew the church into a thriving community with over 12,000 members. He was affectionately known as “Houston’s Pastor” for his dedication to the city and its people.

Reverend Lawson’s commitment to activism was inspired by his wife, Audrey, who passed away in 2015. Audrey was a social worker who believed in using the church as a hub for community programs and services. She encouraged Reverend Lawson to go beyond preaching the gospel and to actively engage with the needs of the neighborhood.

Throughout his life, Reverend Lawson worked tirelessly to desegregate Houston and provide resources for the city’s most vulnerable populations. He was instrumental in establishing affordable housing for senior citizens and a public defender program for those in need of legal representation.

As a close friend of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Reverend Lawson opened his church to King and helped launch the Houston office of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. His legacy of service and advocacy will continue to inspire generations to come in Houston and beyond.