FIRST Church Organized in [Future] Freestone County - Freestone County, TX
N 31° 40.576 W 096° 22.609
14R E 748679 N 3507543
A 1972 Texas Historical Marker at the gate to the Oak Island Cemetery indicates that the church that once stood here was the first to be established in what would become Freestone County. Located seven miles northwest of Teague on CR 924.
Waymark Code: WM14VAH
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 08/26/2021
Views: 1
Be careful of barking dogs who appear to mean business: They can be sent on their way with a stern "No!"
The historical marker reads:
First church organized in what was to become Freestone County. Started Sept. 11, 1847, by five charter members: Mrs. Mary Archibald, Samuel N. Archibald, Thos. W. Archibald, Eloisa Patton and Mrs. Mary S. Patton, whose husband donated land for church. The Rev. John Limber presided.
By 1873 had 102 members and 88 children in Sunday school, but congregation declined after railroad came through Mexia in 1870s, causing many people to move there. Discontinued in 1899.
Many area pioneers are buried in church cemetery.
-----
The USGenWeb Project (see URL, below) adds a few details, referencing 1848 as the year of establishment and not the 1847 on the marker. Take your pick. For the record, when the church was established, this area was still part of Limestone County, but the creation of Freestone County in 1850 grandfathered in the church, as it were.
There is nothing to be found as to the fate of the church sanctuary after the congregation dissolved in 1899, but presumably, it was up near the gate. Despite the vandalism, this is actually a nice cemetery to walk, with headstones dating into the 1850s.
FIRST - Classification Variable: Person or Group
Date of FIRST: 09/11/1848
More Information - Web URL: [Web Link]
|
Visit Instructions:As a suggestion for your visit log, please make every effort to supply a brief-to-detailed note about your experience at the Waymark. If possible also include an image that was taken when you visited the Waymark. Images can be of yourself, a personal Waymarking signature item or just one of general interest that would be of value to others. Sharing your experience helps promote Waymarking and provides a dynamic history of your adventures.
Recent Visits/Logs:
| There are no logs for this waymark yet. |
|
|
|