Anna in Collin County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

First Christian Church of Anna

Photographed by Gary Estep, January 10, 2026

1. First Christian Church of Anna Marker

Inscription. Liberty Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), one of the earliest Christian churches in Texas, was founded in northern Collin County by pioneer settlers Collin McKinney and J.B. Wilmeth in 1846. In 1854 a Christian seminary was established by members of the liberty congregation about two miles northwest of here in the newly established community of Mantua.

The Houston and Texas Central Railroad extended its track in a north-south route several miles east of Mantua in 1872. Mantua soon declined in favor of the new railroad towns of Van Alstyne (Grayson County) and Anna which developed here in the early 1880s.

According to local tradition Mantua's Christian congregation split between the two new communities. Former Mantua Church members and early Anna resident Rebecca Sherley helped organize the First Christian Church of Anna in 1882. The Rev. Alf Douglas served as first pastor. Services were held in the Sherley home until it burned in 1886. About 1890 the first sanctuary was built here at the site of the former Sherley home. Major additions to the rear of the sanctuary were completed in 1949. First Christian continues to serve the community with spiritual guidance and various educational programs.

Erected 1994 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 1706.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1846.

Location. 33° 20.875′ N, 96° 32.888′ W. Marker is in Anna, Texas, in Collin County. It is at the intersection of South Sherley Road and 5th Street, on the left when traveling south on South Sherley Road. The marker is located at the front entrance to the church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 201 South Sherley Road, Anna TX 75409, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region

and in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area.

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.

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At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Anna Depot (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Anna Train Depot (about 400 feet away); A. Sherley & Bro. Hardware Store (about 500 feet away); Public Education in Anna (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mantua (approx. 2.3 miles away); Coffman Cemetery (approx. 2.6 miles away); Highland Cemetery (approx. 2.8 miles away); Corner Post of Uncle Charlie Wysong's Blacksmith Shop (approx. 2.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Anna.

Also see . . . Anna, TX. Texas State Historical Association - Handbook of Texas (Submitted on March 31, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The entrance to the First Christian Church of Anna and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, March 29, 2022

2. The entrance to the First Christian Church of Anna and Marker

The front of the First Christian Church of Anna and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, March 29, 2022

3. The front of the First Christian Church of Anna and Marker

The view of the First Christian Church of Anna from the street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, March 29, 2022

4. The view of the First Christian Church of Anna from the street

Photographed by James Hulse, March 29, 2022

5. First Christian Church of Anna Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 12, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 31, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 675 times since then and 66 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 10, 2026, by Gary Estep of Anna, Texas. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 31, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.