Sweethome Missionary Baptist Church

Since the 1870s, Sweethome Missionary Baptist Church has been a cornerstone of the historic Clarksville neighborhood, one of Austin’s oldest freedman’s towns. The current worship building, constructed in 1935, is the congregation’s fourth home. Under the leadership of Reverend Jacob Fontaine, a key figure in uniting Black Baptist churches, the church remains a vital cultural landmark in Austin’s Black heritage.

Sweethome Missionary Baptist Church is a vital anchor in Clarksville, one of the nation’s oldest freedman’s communities and a neighborhood built by formerly enslaved people seeking independence and stability in Austin. Early on, the congregation met under brush arbors or in the homes of community leaders; in 1882, the church purchased its first property for 50 dollars, establishing a lasting presence and a space for spiritual and civic life.

Under the leadership of Reverend Jacob Fontaine—a respected pastor, community organizer, and founder of The Gold Dollar, Austin’s first African-American newspaper—Sweethome became a trusted place for gathering and connection. Church members carried this legacy forward, helping to create the Clarksville Community Development Corporation, which protects the neighborhood’s history and advocates for its residents.

The current church building, completed in 1935, is the congregation’s fourth structure. While modest in design, its enduring presence symbolizes the determination of a community that has weathered displacement and change. Inside, it has hosted generations of weddings, baptisms, homegoings, and fellowship—moments that shaped the social fabric of Clarksville.

Today, as the neighborhood navigates the challenges of urban growth and cultural preservation, Sweethome stands as a reminder that sacred spaces are defined not just by their walls but by the people and stories they hold. Keeping Sweethome thriving honors Clarksville’s roots and invites Austin to remember the value of community-led places in our changing city. – Gabriella Bermea, AIA