Audrey Lawson was a revered community leader in Houston who founded the historic Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in her living room. She and her husband William A. Lawson were at the forefront of the city’s Civil Rights Movement. Here’s more on Audrey’s impactful legacy in Houston.
A Love Story Blossoms
Audrey was born in St. Louis, Missouri in March 1932. In her early adult years, she pursued a degree in social work at Tennessee State University in Nashville. This is where her love story with William began. He was known for writing letters to young women at Tennessee State, but many of them would not respond. However, Audrey decided to pen a letter to Lawson. She wrote confidently, "I hope you won't think me bold and wrong in writing you." He responded, "Of course I won't think you bold and wrong. Why Lady, you compliment me in every sentence." The two exchanged more than 600 letters for two years before marrying on January 30, 1954, after only meeting in person eight times.
Serving The Community
The Lawsons moved to Houston in 1955. William worked at Texas Southern University as a chaplain and professor of religious studies. Meanwhile, Audrey started working as a social worker at an orphanage for Black youth. Students at Texas Southern University attending Lawson’s chapel sessions wanted him to start his church, so the couple started a church in 1962 from their living room. The two also worked with TSU students who were passionate about the Civil Rights Movement. Lawson and Audrey even hosted Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in their home and helped the city transition from segregation to integration throughout the 1960s.
A Legacy Worth Remembering
George Hawkins, the founder of Ensemble Theatre, the city’s only Black-owned theater, pleaded with Audrey on his deathbed to keep the theater alive. She kicked off a fundraising drive that saved the theater. She was also passionate about children, starting a preschool and infant care center at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. Audrey also helped open Lawson Academy, which serves middle school girls and boys. The beloved community leader passed away in 2015 at 83 years old from natural causes. Her husband is still alive at 95 years old.
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