An Early Presbyterian Church in Texas

Hugh Wilson toured Texas in the summer of 1837 and moved his family to San Augustine in the spring of 1838, the Handbook of Texas says. It dates the organizing of Bethel Presbyterian Church to June 2, 1838, four miles west of town. By October he had left for Independence, and in 1839 he organized Mount Prospect Church, reputedly the second Presbyterian church in Texas. The Presbytery of Eastern Texas was organized at San Augustine in 1843. The Handbook's town entry counts 24 members at the 1838 founding, two of them enslaved.

What the plaque says

An Early Presbyterian Church in Texas Organized as the Bethel Presbyterian Church at Goodlaw School House by the Rev. Hugh Wilson on June 2, 1838 with the following charter members: James, Isabella, Joseph and Martha Sharp; H. G. Peggy, James and Elam Alexander; John, Synta and Amanda Polk; Robert and Margaret Tibbets; Elizabeth Erwing; Mary McEiver; Polly Nicholson, Elizabeth Dunham, Catherine Dart, Adeline Stodart; Ann McKnight; and Jack and Hanna Sharp (colored). Erected by the State of Texas 1936

Where it stands

More markers nearby

• San Augustine City Cemetery — steps away
• Site of the "Red Lander" Office — steps away
• James Pinckney Henderson — steps away
• Sam Houston in San Augustine — steps away