Terrell in Kaufman County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Bethlehem Baptist Church
Photographed By Rheba Bybee, September 3, 2016
1. Bethlehem Baptist Church Marker
Inscription.
Bethlehem Baptist Church. . The oldest black Baptist congregation extant in Terrell, this church traces its history to 1877, when a group of worshipers led by missionary A.R. Griggs met under a brush arbor. With the Rev. P.W. Upshaw serving as first pastor, church members erected a sanctuary at what is now the 400 block of East Grove Street. The building was moved to the corner of S. Virginia and Cottage streets in 1889. A new facility, built in the early 1900s, was relocated to this site in 1929. It was destroyed in a 1939 fire and replaced by a new structure in 1940.
The oldest black Baptist congregation extant in Terrell, this church traces its history to 1877, when a group of worshipers led by missionary A.R. Griggs met under a brush arbor. With the Rev. P.W. Upshaw serving as first pastor, church members erected a sanctuary at what is now the 400 block of East Grove Street. The building was moved to the corner of S. Virginia and Cottage streets in 1889. A new facility, built in the early 1900s, was relocated to this site in 1929. It was destroyed in a 1939 fire and replaced by a new structure in 1940.
Erected 1989 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 9420.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion. A significant historical year for this entry is 1877.
Location. 32° 43.961′ N, 96° 16.751′ W. Marker is in Terrell, Texas, in Kaufman County. Marker is at the intersection of South Frances Street and West Rochester Street, on the left when traveling north on South Frances Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 500 South Frances Street, Terrell TX 75160, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 9, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2016, by Rheba Bybee of Seagoville, Texas. This page has been viewed 390 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on September 8, 2016, by Rheba Bybee of Seagoville, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
