White Rock Chapel

In 2000, the Historical Commission of Texas designated White Rock Chapel in Addison, Texas a historic site and worthy of a Texas State Historical Marker.

Following their emancipation, formerly enslaved men and women founded White Rock Chapel along White Rock Creek.  In 1884, the White Rock Chapel C.M.E. Church purchased an acre on the banks of the creek and built their first church.  They worshipped there for thirty-four years. In 1918, after enduring years of devastating flash floods, the church moved to higher ground to the same property it owns today.  The white landowner who donated this higher ground to the church often worshipped with the African American congregation over many years.

Unfortunately, many more years of struggle within the small congregation followed. Eventually, this one-acre property entered receivership in 2017. In August 2018, however, White Rock Chapel purchased the property. It is White Rock Chapel’s mission to not only preserve the property as a vital historic site, but to continue and improve it as a functional place of worship. Sadly, not everyone shares that vision and some neighbors in this wealthy and predominantly white suburban community oppose the presence of White Rock Chapel.

After years of enduring natural disasters that destroyed the first church building and a fire (believed to be arson) in 1960 that destroyed the second church building, the Chapel met with a new obstacle to their existence: bureaucracy.

Because the Chapel began in 1884 and built at its current site in 1918—decades before the City was even incorporated—it was never zoned for its longstanding religious use.  The City zoned the Chapel as a “Planned Development District” and “grandfathered” it to function as a church up until the time White Rock Chapel purchased it in August 2018. In the fall of 2021, the City suddenly required White Rock Chapel to obtain zoning permits before it could re-open its doors as a church.

Unfortunately, a fierce and organized neighborhood resistance developed against the Chapel by early 2023. Still, the Chapel remained committed to being a good neighbor, repeatedly meeting with the local neighbors for months, and making numerous concessions to appease their concerns.  Nonetheless, after every concession by the Chapel, the local community demanded more.  Ultimately, the neighbors forced a vote by the city council on the Chapel’s requested permits.  Despite garnering support from 5 of 7 the City’s councilmembers, the council denied Chapel’s request based on a requirement that the Chapel obtain a super-majority because of the neighbors’ fierce opposition.

In September 2023, First Liberty Institute and the law firm McDermott Will & Emery LLP sent a demand letter to the City Council of Addison urging officials to approve of a permit that would allow White Rock Chapel to continue its religious mission.

In early December, the city council unanimously approved the zoning application.

“This small, African American church is a reminder to everyone in Addison that unity, diversity, and religious freedom are core values that strengthen all communities,” James Grossman, Associate with McDermott Will and Emery LLP, said.  “We are thrilled that the chapel will be free to continue to serve its community.”

“We are pleased that the Addison City Council recognizes the rights of this historic African American church to remain at this location has it has for more than 100 years and continue to serve the needs of people in the surrounding areas,” said Jeremy Dys, Senior Counsel for First Liberty Institute.

Dr. Don Wesson of White Rock Chapel said, “We are excited to have this issue settled and to continue being a good community member, neighbor, and civic partner.”