Springhill Missionary Baptist Church

A Texas House resolution of 2015, H.R. 2752, marked the 150th anniversary of Springhill Missionary Baptist Church at Magnolia Springs. It says the congregation formed at the end of the Civil War as a place of worship and education for people freed from slavery, met in a log cabin until 1868, then bought land for a church, school and cemetery. A scholarship honors members Sophronia Holmes and Willie M. Rosemon. The marker at neighboring Magnolia Springs Cemetery adds that in 1902 the congregation bought 4.2 acres on its south side for burials.

What the plaque says

Springhill Missionary Baptist Church Shortly after receiving news of their emancipation, former slaves organized Springhill Missionary Baptist Church in June 1865 with the help of Parson Bean, a white minister and friend of the community. Members built a log cabin for a church and school. Brother Peter Adams was the first Black pastor and brother Armstead Frazier was the first Black secretary around 1870. Trustees purchased 14.65 acres of land from M. A. Eddy for a church, cemetery and school around 1868. New church buildings were erected in 1942 and 1970 as the congregation grew. The church has served as a beacon in the community through its benevolent, cemetery and scholarship outreach programs. (2015)

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Martin Dies, Jr. State Park — 14 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 — 28 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

• Ivory Joe Hunter — steps away
• Pinetucky — 0.8 mi
• Early Kirbyville Schools — 9.4 mi
• Kirbyville, Town of, Site of Town Lot Auction — 9.7 mi