Judson Baptist Church

Wikipedia's history of Cayuga traces the church through four places. It began in 1854 at an arbor near Charles Gilmore's home, later moved to the site of Judson Cemetery, and in 1911 moved to land donated by H. S. Clay before reaching its present site. Wikipedia's Bethel article says the 1854 split in the local Baptist congregation produced Judson. A waymark records a boulder near the modern tabernacle that marks the original brush arbor and church building. Cayuga itself took its name in 1894, when postmaster William Alonzo Davenport named it for his native Cayuga, New York.

What the plaque says

Judson Baptist Church This congregation was organized in 1854 when the Fosterville Baptist Church divided its membership to better serve the growing population of Anderson County. County pioneers R. R. Morrow and J. H. Rowland were chief organizers of the 21 charter members. Morrow served as their first pastor. Judson Baptist Church met for worship services in a brush arbor near Hall Branch Creek until its first sanctuary was constructed on land provided by Martin and Nancy Haywood. By 1891, membership had grown such that a larger church building was erected. Over the years, Judson Baptist Church facilities have been enlarged or relocated to adapt to population shifts in northwest Anderson County. After the congregation moved to this site in 1924, members farmed the surrounding land and used the proceeds to pay off the church debt. Throughout its history, Judson Baptist Church has provided significant service and leadership to the Cayuga community and to those in the surrounding rural area. Its members have continued to uphold the ideas and traditions of their pioneer founders. (1985)

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center — 21 mi
  A Texas Parks and Wildlife hatchery and visitor center in Athens where visitors can borrow tackle and fish a stocked pond, watch native species in gallery tanks and ride a tram around the hatchery.
• Texas State Railroad Excursion Train — 29 mi
  A round trip of about 25 miles of track between the Palestine and Rusk depots through the Piney Woods, on a line built by prison labor and reopened as a tourist railroad in 1976.

More markers nearby

• Science Hill — 4.1 mi
• Bethel Cemetery — 4.5 mi
• New Hope Missionary Baptist Church — 8.9 mi
• Rural Shade — 11 mi