THE GULF WAR: The Home Front : Oddities: Church Name

After two weeks of unsettling phone calls, the PALESTINE MEMORIAL BAPTIST CHURCH in Houston is changing its name. During the last two weeks, the 41-year-old church has heard from callers expressing anti-Palestinian sentiments and others wanting to know where the congregation stands on the question of a Palestinian homeland. “I’m sure the name was taken because that’s where Christ grew up,” said Senior Pastor Dorothie Callies Ward. “We have no Mideastern ties, no political ties at all.” Although the church has received no threats, it still plans to change its name to the Holy Trinity Baptist Church.