About

third ward

Humble Beginnings

Established in 1986, Founder Ellis Taylor was led by the Lord to build Him a church, his wife Audrey (Lee) embraced his desire and joined in the quest to find a location site. Audrey was prompted to drive around the city and came upon an abandoned house located on the corner of Dennis and Tierwester Street. 

Ellis Taylor also shared his vision with his pastor, the late Rev E.S. Branch of Fourth Missionary Baptist Church who gave Taylor much encouragement. Within months contributions of materials and supplies began to come his way by other brethren of the basement of the  faith. Rev. Taylor and his congregation of eight members met faithfully in the basement of Antioch Baptist Church. In faithful attendance was his wife Audrey; his sister Sally T. Moss, Sis Joyce Jackson, Bro. Foster just to name a few. Then membership began to increase and they had to move their location of worship to the Open Door located on Arbor Street owned by Mrs. McClaine. 

Once the abandoned house was removed and the laying of the concrete foundation was cured upon which you and I stand Sunday Worship services began and Taylor Memorial has remained faithful in keeping her doors opened to the Third Ward community. 

As told by the late Sis. Audrey Lee Taylor

Wife of the late Rev. Ellis Taylor

Our Pastor

Pastor Sammie J Hunter Jr

The second son of six (6) siblings, born a native Houstonian on April 25, 1957. His parents are Mary B Taylor and Sammie J Hunter Sr. He is a product of the greater Third Ward and South Park community attended schools of the Houston Independent School District and graduated from Houston Technical Institute in 1975. He attended Prairie View AM University and University of Houston studying Pre- Med. Being employed with the United States Postal Services since 1978, he has achieved the "Million Mile Award" as a career letter carrier in 2008 and continues to find it physically profitable to avoid retirement for years more. 

He is married to Althia J Hunter, of forty- five years. He is the father of their three (3) children: Samuel, Amity, and Simone and the grandfather of four (4) grandchildren: Genesis, Russell, Gabrielle, and Gracelyn. He is the prduct and son in the ministry of Holman Street Baptist Church serving under the leadership of Manson B Johson II in varies ministrires: ordanied as a Deacon in 1993; licensed as a Minister in 1996; and became the pastor if Taylor Memorial Baptist Church , Houston, Texas after serving interim elder/minister in 2002. He attended Deepwater Bible College in 1989 and became a graduate in the March 2003 with a Bachelor of Science in Leadership at the College of Biblical Studies, Houston, Texas. His aspiration is to further his studies at the Dallas Theological Seminary. 

He has served the community of Third Ward in ministry for over 25 years and continues to do so diligently. 

Our First Lady

Althia, was born on October 28, 1957 as the fourth sibling of eight children to Harold and Dorothy Jackson. She spent her childhood days in Third Ward- Houston. She attended Houston Independent School and gives all accolades to her former teachers of Blackshear Elementary, Ezekiel Cullen and Albert L. Thomas Middle School, Class of 1975. 

In 1983, Althia shared her interest for caring and teaching children through the implementation of the Cradle Roll Ministry of Holman Street Baptist Church, under the leadership of Pastor Manson B. Johnson, II. She administered patience, compassion, and education through self-taught books and wisdom from the Lord demonstrating knowledge of childcare administration with handson experience of love and dedication to infants and toodlers until 2000. She was always asked if she had a degree in Education, but she gives glory to God for her voluntarily motive for helping His little ones which prepared her for her purpose and destiny in Christ. 

Althia married her caring and loving husband of more than 25 years, Pastor Sammie J Hunter Jr. To this union, they bear three (3) children: Samuel , Amity, and Simone Hunter. She also embraces her pride and joy of living to see and enjoy her four (4) grandchildren: Genesis, Russell, and Gracelyn.


Althia would like to be remembered as a sincere woman of faith who has enjoyed every day of grace given unto God. 

First Lady Althia J Hunter