Fontaine, Rev. I. J. 1910-2003

Reverend Fontaine was an active community organizer and leader, and worked tirelessly for the documentation and recognition of the African-American historical legacy in Austin, Texas. He is responsible for the establishment of many historical landmark sites in and around Travis County, Texas, including several historical church sites, as well as the Clarksville Historical Marker. He was born on April 8, 1910, and died on August 19, 2003. He confessed religion under the Late Reverend J.C. Lott, and his first pastorate was in Waters Park, Texas, where he served as Pastor for St. Stephen’s Baptist Church, which his grandfather, the Late Reverend Jacob Fontaine, founded in 1890. He was best known as the Pastor Emeritus for the Fontaine Memorial Baptist Church of Austin, which he founded in 1962 and named in honor of his grandfather.

In 1983, Reverend Fontaine co-authored a book with Dr. Gene Burd of the University of Texas at Austin, entitled “From Slavery to the Greatness of the Pulpit, Press, Public Service,” which was an account of the life of his grandfather, who is perhaps best known as the founder of the First Baptist Church of Austin in 1867.

The AHC biographical file for Rev. I.J. Fontaine has been combined with the biographical file for his grandfather, Jacob Fontaine.

From the guide to the The Reverend I. J. Fontaine Papers AR. 2007. 026., 1878-2003, 1970-1995, (Austin History Center, Austin Public Library, )