Beech Creek Baptist Church

The Texas House marked the church's 160th anniversary with a resolution adopted on May 21, 2015, which says it is believed to be the oldest Baptist church in Tyler County. Woodville's Bethel Baptist, organized in 1851, closed in 1866. The resolution names Addie Jordan, who served the congregation for 75 years and for whom a memorial building fund was set up in 1989. It counts about forty pastors, many serving more than once, and notes the new fellowship hall begun in 2011 under Pastor Jack Lewellen.

What the plaque says

Beech Creek Baptist Church Georgia native James G. Collier moved his extended family to this area in 1852. Collier settled in the Beech Creek community and established the area's first sawmill. this church was organized in Collier's home by 8 charter members on September 24, 1855. The congregation accepted both Anglos and African Americans into its membership. African American Henry Gainer was ordained as minister by the church in 1867. Early worship services were held in a local school building and baptism services were conducted in nearby Mill and Beech creeks. The church grew with the area and in 1892 the congregation erected its first sanctuary here on three acres donated by James Collier for church and cemetery purposes. Church membership continued to expand, and in 1905 a Sunday School was organized. An additional two acres of land were purchased in 1955, and in 1969 a new building was erected to house growing educational and recreational programs. The church called its first full-time pastor in 1995. Beech Creek Baptist Church has historically supported local and regional ministries and continues to serve the community with various programs and activities. Sesquicentennial of Texas Statehood 1845-1995

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Martin Dies, Jr. State Park — 11 mi
  A 705-acre state park on Steinhagen Reservoir at the meeting of the Neches and Angelina rivers, with about 14 miles of paddling trails through sloughs and more than 200 campsites.
• Big Thicket National Preserve — 19 mi
  Start at the Kountze visitor center, where rangers sort the preserve's scattered units for you, and learn why Congress made this 1974 string of pearls the country's first national preserve.

More markers nearby

• Pinetucky — 12 mi
• Ivory Joe Hunter — 12 mi
• Home of James Edward Wheat — 13 mi
• Tyler County — 13 mi