Goliad in Goliad County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Founding Site of First Baptist Church of Goliad
Photographed By Brian Anderson, April 6, 2019
1. Founding Site of First Baptist Church of Goliad Marker
Inscription.
Founding Site of First Baptist Church of Goliad. . A group of twelve Baptists met under an oak tree one block west of the Goliad town square on this site in May 1849. The Rev. John Freeman Hillyer officiated at the meeting, during which the twelve organized the first Baptist church in the area. The charter members included the pastor's wife, Mary, and their children Ann and Hamilton B. Hillyer; Hillyer family slaves Jacob and Eliza; Pryor and Mary Lea; George Brightman and his daughter Emeline Russell; and William and Philania Crow. The group established membership in the Colorado Baptist Association by 1852. After fifty years of meeting in borrowed facilities, the congregation's first permanent home was erected in 1899. The First Baptist Church of Goliad continues to serve the area.
A group of twelve Baptists met under an oak tree one block west of the Goliad town square on this site in May 1849. The Rev. John Freeman Hillyer officiated at the meeting, during which the twelve organized the first Baptist church in the area. The charter members included the pastor's wife, Mary, and their children Ann and Hamilton B. Hillyer; Hillyer family slaves Jacob and Eliza; Pryor and Mary Lea; George Brightman and his daughter Emeline Russell; and William and Philania Crow. The group established membership in the Colorado Baptist Association by 1852. After fifty years of meeting in borrowed facilities, the congregation's first permanent home was erected in 1899. The First Baptist Church of Goliad continues to serve the area.
Erected 1999 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 11896.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1849.
Location. 28° 39.976′ N, 97° 23.639′ W. Marker is in Goliad, Texas, in Goliad County. Marker is on South Chilton Street north of West End Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 238 South Chilton Street, Goliad TX 77963, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Judge Pryor Lea Home (within shouting distance of this
2. Founding Site of First Baptist Church of Goliad
Credits. This page was last revised on April 16, 2019. It was originally submitted on April 16, 2019, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. This page has been viewed 177 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on April 16, 2019, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas.
