Wharton in Wharton County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Camp Zion Missionary Baptist Church
Photographed by Dave W, February 25, 2022
1. Camp Zion Missionary Baptist Church Marker
The Rev. Hillary Hooks, formerly a slave on the James E. Winston plantation, organized Camp Zion Baptist Church in 1870. Winston granted land to Camp Zion trustees in 1887. A segment of the membership left and organized Rising Star Baptist Church in 1888. The Camp Zion church structure served as a school, a refuge during floods, and as a Red Cross chapter location during World War I. The Camp Zion Community Cemetery was established on land donated by the Duncan family in 1905. In 1998, the Camp Zion and Rising Star Baptist congregations reunited into a single church family, which continues to include descendants of the former slave families who founded the church.
Camp Zion Missionary Baptist Church
1870-1998
"Upon this rock I will build my Church" Matthews 16:18
Founding Families
Anderson Bryant Coleman Davis Hatton Hawkins Hill Hooks Jefferson Moses Ray Robertson Runnel Sanders Skane Walker Wygal
Erected 2000 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 12369.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1870.
Location. 29°
this page online
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 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: William Jones Elliot Heard and Egypt Plantation (approx. 2 miles away); Egypt (approx. 2 miles away); Glen Flora (approx. 3.1 miles away); Joseph and Rachel Rabb Newman (approx. 5.2 miles away); The Dan Rather House (approx. 7.4 miles away); Site of Post West Bernard Station (approx. 7.6 miles away); New York, Texas & Mexican Railroad and The Community of Hungerford (approx. 7.6 miles away); Site of Quinan Community (approx. 7.6 miles away).
Credits. This page was last revised on February 18, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2022, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. This page has been viewed 831 times since then and 136 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week February 15, 2026. Photo 1. submitted on September 8, 2022, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide view photo of the marker and its surroundings showing its location in context. • Photo of the church building. • Can you help?
