The Dallas Landmark Commission voted to initiate the process to consider landmark designation for Mount Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church at 14000 Preston Road.

Petitioners, including church members and local historians, presented documentary material and testimony noting Mount Pisgah’s long history in the community, its ties to a freedmen’s settlement known as Alpha, and a local cemetery where founding members are interred. Commissioners approved initiation with no recorded opposition and directed staff and the designation committee to follow up.

Michael (s) Green and Elaine Johnson, among several speakers from the congregation, described documents they said date the church’s founding activities to June 19, 1864, and cited continuous occupation of the 14000 Preston Road site since an 1888 property purchase. Johnson said she prepared an application narrative and historical material for a Texas historical marker and described the congregation’s archival holdings, including artifacts and newspaper clippings now housed in a church history and archive museum.

Commissioners praised the petitioners’ research and the site’s importance to African American history in Dallas County. A commissioner moved to approve initiation of the historic designation process for 14000 Preston Road; another commissioner seconded. The motion carried with no recorded opposition. Staff told petitioners they will work with the designation committee on next steps toward formal landmark consideration, including assembling documentary evidence and scheduling public hearings.

Initiation does not by itself confer landmark status; it starts the staff review and public hearing sequence required by City of Dallas procedures. Petitioners were told they will meet again with the designation committee as the nomination advances.