A Historical Perspective

The right to equal representation for laymen was enacted into law at the seat of the 1948 General Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The first organization of lay members in Texas, the Tenth Episcopal District, was subsequently held at the site of Bethel A.M.E. Church in San Antonio, Texas.  Mrs. Hazel Gomez, wife of Bishop Joseph Gomez, was a great supporter and encourager of the lay movement and was instrumental in the first Lay Organization. 

J. L. Mackey was the first Lay President and Birdie Marshall served as the first female President of the State Lay Organization.

There have been eight Presidents of the Tenth Episcopal District Lay Organization: J. L. Mackey, Rudy Webb, Birdie Marshall, C. S. McMillan, Nathaniel Best, Albert Brewer, Johnny Tellis, and Charles W. Rainwater, Jr. Now (for 2008-2012) Leon Thornton takes the helm.

Albert Brewer and Russell Livingston represented the Tenth Episcopal District, respectively, when they were elected as Connectional Parliamentarians.  Johnny Tellis, Jr. recently finished serving as the Connectional Lay 3^rd Vice President.  Pamela Tilley was elected as CLO Historiographer and Larry Hollie as CLEDC Treasurer at the 2009 CLO Biennial.

The Legacy of this organization lies with its leadership and members who have toiled and carried it through the years.  The Tenth Episcopal District Lay Organization is proud of its many accomplishments; however, it is most proud of hosting the 29th Biennial Session of the Connectional Lay Organization which was held July 24-29, 2005 in Houston, Texas.   

Perspective provided by Pamela Tilley, Former 10^th Episcopal District Lay  Historiographer (via Roosevelt Ellis and the 2006 State Lay Convention Souvenir Journal). Subsequent updates inserted by Vicki Houston.