TEXAS — A home, a church and a hospital — crucial pieces in the development of San Antonio’s Eastside and cornerstones of the historic Black community.
“There were African Americans living and settling in north, east and west and south parts of San Antonio, really throughout this city’s history,” said historian Dr. Charles Gentry.
Gentry says there’s a significant amount of Black history in his hometown.
“The historic district that we’re in right now is the Dignowity Hill historic district,” Gentry said.
Gentry says that in San Antonio, the roots run deep, something the city’s Office of Historic Preservation continues to explore with a multi-year project to study, preserve and share the history of the African American community in the city.
In 2022, the Texas Historical Commission gave the City of San Antonio a $30,000 grant to uncover significant events, people and places to the Black community.
“We have decided to publish a graphic novel,” Gentry said.
“A Home, A Church & A Hospital: The Development of East San Antonio” is a brief history lesson with comic book illustrations. The title of the book is in reference to Charles Bellinger’s home, Greater Corinth Baptist Church and Good Samaritan Hospital.
Charles Bellinger was a prominent Black entrepreneur in San Antonio. In the early 1900s, he owned real estate and operated businesses around town.
“Back during his time, he was recognized as the richest Black man in the state of Texas,” said Greater Corinth Baptist Church Rev. Stanley Sparrow.
In the 1920s, Bellinger used his money and influence to uplift the Black community, paying people’s poll taxes in exchange for votes, electing candidates who would bring development and services to the Eastside.
“The ways in which a lot of the streets of the Eastside got developed,” Gentry said. “The ways in which the streetlights got brought to the Eastside. The way in which the sewer lines were brought out to the Eastside. A lot of that had to do with some of the political maneuvering he was able to do.”
Bellinger died in the late 1930s, leaving behind a home that sat on an entire city block of land.
“His children sold it to the Greater Corinth Baptist Church for less than market value,” Gentry said. “They built a new sanctuary on that site in 1950.”
The church eventually converted its old building into the Good Samaritan Hospital. Bringing health care access to the Black community during the Jim Crow-era segregation.
“It was very important to have these types of services for some of the Black veterans who served in World War Two,” Gentry said. “That building now serves as a veteran’s resource center that’s run by St. Phillips College.”
Gentry says this book is just one way to educate folks about the pillars of San Antonio’s Black community.
“The graphic novel is going to be available in every branch of the San Antonio Public Library,” Gentry said
A book that highlights the little-known histories to ensure this neighborhood’s story isn’t forgotten.
“It’s really from the community that we got the idea to do a graphic novel,” Gentry said. “The community really wanted something that would be accessible to young and older audiences.”
