Purmela in Coryell County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Purmela Baptist Church
Photographed By QuesterMark, December 1, 2013
1. Purmela Baptist Church Texas Historical Marker
Inscription.
Purmela Baptist Church. . This congregation traces its history to 1886, when the Rev. W. M. Blakely and ten charter members organized the Basham Baptist Church in the old Basham School Building at the Smith Cemetery (ca. 1.7 mi. S). Basham Baptist Church merged with Salem Baptist Church (also known as Round Valley Baptist Church) in 1901, and the new consolidated congregations built a sanctuary at Cravey Crossing on Cowhouse Creek (ca. 2 mi SW). The church's name was changed to Cravey Crossing Baptist Church. Worship services were held once a month, and baptismal services were conducted in the creek., In 1927, after the congregation voted to relocate to this site, the Cravey Crossing Church building was dismantled and rebuilt here by volunteers. The name was changed to Purmela Baptist Church when construction was completed in 1928, and soon worship services were conducted weekly., Throughout its history, this church has served members in a large rural area. The church facilities have been enlarged over the years to serve the growing congregation, which continues to maintain many of its historic traditions. (1991)
This congregation traces its history to 1886, when the Rev. W. M. Blakely and ten charter members organized the Basham Baptist Church in the old Basham School Building at the Smith Cemetery (ca. 1.7 mi. S). Basham Baptist Church merged with Salem Baptist Church (also known as Round Valley Baptist Church) in 1901, and the new consolidated congregations built a sanctuary at Cravey Crossing on Cowhouse Creek (ca. 2 mi SW). The church's name was changed to Cravey Crossing Baptist Church. Worship services were held once a month, and baptismal services were conducted in the creek.
In 1927, after the congregation voted to relocate to this site, the Cravey Crossing Church building was dismantled and rebuilt here by volunteers. The name was changed to Purmela Baptist Church when construction was completed in 1928, and soon worship services were conducted weekly.
Throughout its history, this church has served members in a large rural area. The church facilities have been enlarged over the years to serve the growing congregation, which continues to maintain many of its historic traditions. (1991)
Erected 1991 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4138.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. A significant historical year for this entry is 1886.
Location.
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31° 28.895′ N, 97° 57.808′ W. Marker is in Purmela, Texas, in Coryell County. Marker is at the intersection of Farm to Market Road 932 and County Route 101, on the right when traveling south on Route 932. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 875 FM 932, Purmela TX 76566, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 20, 2020. It was originally submitted on February 9, 2014, by QuesterMark of Fort Worth, Texas. This page has been viewed 553 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on February 9, 2014, by QuesterMark of Fort Worth, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
