St. John Missionary Baptist Church. Photograph by R. C. Hickman. Dallas, 1954. R. C. Hickman Photograph Collection, The Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin; CN 08047. Beginning as early as 1841, blacks founded most of their own churches in Texas, attempting to fill their congregations' needs for recreation, political involvement, and education, as well as religion. This church in Dallas also served as headquarters for a National Association for the Advancement of Colored People convention.