Washington in Washington County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Mercy Seat Baptist Church
Photographed By James Hulse, February 25, 2023
1. Mercy Seat Baptist Church Marker
Inscription.
Mercy Seat Baptist Church. . Reverend J.L. Lawson and community members organized the Mercy Seat Baptist Church in 1894. Located in what was then called Graball, the original church building was built on property south of the current location. In 1953, the membership voted to build a new church, with each member paying one dollar per month for the building fund in 1981, the rear addition of the existing church was built and the whole building was bricked the next year. The church has been active in the community with festivals, outreach programs, scholarships and mission trips. Mercy Seat Baptist Church thrived throughout the 20th century even after Graball declined and it continues to serve the Washington area today.
Reverend J.L. Lawson and community members organized the Mercy Seat Baptist Church in 1894. Located in what was then called Graball, the original church building was built on property south of the current location. In 1953, the membership voted to build a new church, with each member paying one dollar per month for the building fund in 1981, the rear addition of the existing church was built and the whole building was bricked the next year. The church has been active in the community with festivals, outreach programs, scholarships and mission trips. Mercy Seat Baptist Church thrived throughout the 20th century even after Graball declined and it continues to serve the Washington area today.
Erected 2015 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 18291.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. A significant historical year for this entry is 1894.
Location. 30° 16.168′ N, 96° 7.185′ W. Marker is in Washington, Texas, in Washington County. Marker is on Flat Prairie Road (County Highway 112) one mile east of Farm to Market Road 2726, on the right when traveling east. The marker is located on the right side of the front of the church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 20250 Flat Prairie Road, Washington TX 77880, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are
Also see . . . Graball, TX. Texas State Historical Association
Graball was near Rocky Creek two miles from the Navasota River and twenty miles northeast of Brenham in extreme northeastern Washington County. In 1876 a post office was established there and named for a local storeowner. By 1884 Graball had three general stores, a drugstore, and a population of forty. In the 1880s black residents, who made up 80 percent of the population, were Republicans.
(Submitted on February 27, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Photographed By James Hulse, February 25, 2023
2. The Mercy Seat Baptist Church and Marker
Photographed By James Hulse, February 25, 2023
3. The view of the Mercy Seat Baptist Church and Marker from the road
Credits. This page was last revised on February 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 27, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 91 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on February 27, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
