Gilmer in Upshur County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Gilgal Baptist Church

Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 1, 2019

1. Gilgal Baptist Church Marker

Inscription. In 1865 the Rev. John Baptist led the founding of this congregation. The members built a brush arbor here and chose the name "Gilgal" after the site of the Israelites first encampment in the promised land.

Tom Littlepage gave two acres for the church grounds and for a black school. Later, three acres were purchased from Judge J. R. Warren. The first frame church building was erected here in 1872 during the ministry of the Rev. J. H. Hill.

In 1900, after serving this fellowship, the Rev. W. L. Dickson founded an orphanage, fulfilling his lifelong dream. The Dickson Colored Orphans Home, near Gilmer, operated for years before the state government took charge and moved the facility to Austin.

The Rev. S. H. Howard served longer and baptized more members than any other pastor of this congregation. About 1905, during Rev. Howard's ministry, this structure was completed. The building was veneered with brick during the pastorate of an evangelist, the Rev. H. W. Gray. The first full-time minister, the Rev. Floyd D. Harris, led in the building of the educational annex. A parsonage was constructed during the pastorate of the Rev. U. L. Sanders.

Erected 1979 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 11311.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1865.

Location. 32° 43.229′ N, 94° 56.501′ W. Marker is in Gilmer, Texas, in Upshur County. It is on U.S. 271 north of Border Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 719 Highway 271 South, Gilmer TX 75644, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, and in the Piney Woods. Globally, it is in North America,

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a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Site of the Pioneer Dickson Orphanage (approx. 0.3 miles away); Warren-Futrell House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Croley Funeral Home (approx. 0.6 miles away); C.S.A. Leather Factories (approx. 0.6 miles away); "The Gilmer Mirror" (approx. 0.6 miles away); Sam Houston Spoke Here (approx. 0.6 miles away); Cherokee Trace (approx. 0.6 miles away); Upshur County, C. S. A. / Emma Sansom Johnson (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gilmer.

The Gilgal Baptist Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 1, 2019

2. The Gilgal Baptist Church

Marker with the Gilgal Baptist Church in background. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 1, 2019

3. Marker with the Gilgal Baptist Church in background.

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, August 26, 2025

4. Gilgal Baptist Church Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 11, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 577 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 11, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 4. submitted on September 4, 2025, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas.