Fellowship Baptist Church

Baptist records trace Fellowship Church back to 1839, which makes it the oldest Baptist church in Shelby County by that count. Wyatt S. Childress, who reached the community in 1836, is credited with establishing and pastoring it. The Handbook of Texas calls John Latham the reputed first settler of the county, arriving in 1818. In 2019 the congregation marked its 180th anniversary with a homecoming service and an old-fashioned singing, counting from 1839. Corinth Baptist near Timpson, organized in 1845 as Wedgeworth Church, lost its early records in a fire in 1910.

What the plaque says

Fellowship Baptist Church One of the oldest Baptist churches in Texas. Founded by settlers who came by ferry across Sabine River as early as 1818. After a number of homes were built on hills near good springs of water, a church was considered essential. It is recorded that this one ministered to spiritual needs in Republic of Texas era. Congregation assembled by riding many miles, usually in farm wagons, and with baskets of food. Original log building, heated by 8-foot fireplace with mud chimney, had split log benches. The windows, without glass, had shutters on wooden hinges. In season, school was held in this early building. The name "Fellowship" honored loyalties among the pioneer families. First pastor was the Rev. Wyatt S. Childress, a kinsman of Geo. C. Childress, one of the authors of the Texas Declaration of Independence. First church clerk was Dr. John Moses Taylor. Erected after sawmills were in use in the 1870s was second church building, of plank construction. This was several times relocated and remodeled. The present structure was built in 1939; enlarged 1967. The old "Busbee Place" Spring, initially responsible for choice of this site, still supplies water for the church and baptistry. (1969)

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Tex Ritter Museum and Texas Country Music Hall of Fame — 24 mi
  Carthage's country music museum, with Tex Ritter's boots, guitars and saddles in a room styled like a movie theater, and exhibits on other Texas stars, Jim Reeves among them.

More markers nearby

• B. F. Morris and the Town of Joaquin — 2.9 mi
• Truitt Cemetery — 5.2 mi
• International Boundary Marker — 7.0 mi
• Site of Town of Spivey, 1870s-1900 — 7.3 mi