Bay City in Matagorda County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Bethel Baptist Church

Photographed by James Hulse, February 11, 2022

1. Bethel Baptist Church Marker

Inscription. Lacking church facilities in their "North-End" African American neighborhood, Harris and Maria Anderson began to hold lay services in their home about 1904. They built a brush arbor and in 1905 organized the Bethel Baptist Church with the Rev. Joe Wren as its first pastor. The church met in a building relocated to this site in 1906. The congregation erected its first sanctuary here in 1910. It was eventually razed and replaced with a brick church building in 1954. The church has maintained a tradition of pride in its facilities and continues to serve the community.

Erected 1992 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 388.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1904.

Location. 28° 59.523′ N, 95° 58.447′ W. Marker is in Bay City, Texas, in Matagorda County. It is at the intersection of Avenue C and Grace Street, on the right when traveling south on Avenue C. The marker is located on the right side of the front entrance to the church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1208 Avenue C, Bay City TX 77414, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

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: Old Bay City Bank (approx. 0.7 miles away); Bay City Post Office (approx. 0.7 miles away); Cedarvale Cemetery (approx. 0.7 miles away); Sugar Cane Mill (approx. 0.7

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miles away); Matagorda County (approx. 0.7 miles away); Matagorda County Veterans War Memorial (approx. 0.7 miles away); a different marker also named Matagorda County (approx. 0.7 miles away); Ira Ingram (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bay City.

The Bethel Baptist Church and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, February 11, 2022

2. The Bethel Baptist Church and Marker

The Bethel Baptist Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, February 11, 2022

3. The Bethel Baptist Church

The view of the Bethel Baptist Church from across the street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, February 11, 2022

4. The view of the Bethel Baptist Church from across the street

Credits. This page was last revised on February 13, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 13, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 254 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 13, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.