Palmer in Ellis County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
First Christian Church of Palmer
In 1853 disciples in the area around Rockett and Brushy Creek (8 miles northwest) established a church called "Liberty-Sylvania". Members of the congregation were instrumental in the formation of new churches in Corinth, Ferris, Palmer and Waxahachie.
Two members of the church at Rockett, Robert "Uncle Bob" Smith and his wife Lavisa, moved their family to Palmer in 1868. With their help the First Christian Church of Palmer was organized that same year. A one-room schoolhouse served as the first meeting place.
An agreement, signed in 1880 by representatives of the Baptist, Christian, and Cumberland Presbyterian churches of the town, called for the construction of a community church building. Completed later that year on Dallas Street, the Palmer Union Church sanctuary was used by all three congregations. Each church was assigned a specific Sunday of every month for their services.
Members of the First Christian Church constructed their own sanctuary at the intersection of Dallas and Jefferson Streets in 1898. The congregation moved to this site in 1940 when the present brick edifice was completed. The church bell, still in use, is from the Palmer Union Church building.
Erected 1980 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 7103.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.
Location. 32° 26.032′ N, 96° 40.089′ W. Marker is in Palmer, Texas, in Ellis County. Marker is at the intersection of Paris Street and Stacks Street, on the left when traveling west on Paris Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 E Paris St, Palmer TX 75152, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. First Baptist Church of Palmer (approx. 0.3 miles away); Harkey-Payne House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Smith Cemetery (approx. 4.2 miles away); Rutherford's Crossing Bridge (approx. 4.4 miles away); Bristol Cemetery (approx. 6 miles away); Bristol School (approx. 6.1 miles away); Graves Cemetery (approx. 6.3 miles away); Old Lake Dam (approx. 6.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Palmer.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 9, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 15, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 132 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 16, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 4. submitted on April 9, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.