Marshall in Harrison County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Bethesda Baptist Church

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, March 20, 2023

1. Bethesda Baptist Church Marker

Inscription. In 1867 the Rev. William Massey organized the "Colored Baptist Church" in his home. Soon the name "Bethesda" was chosen for the Biblical pool where the sick and troubled went for healing. Members of this congregation included prominent business, educational, and political leaders. They helped organize Bishop College in 1881. The first frame church house was razed in 1932 and a brick building was erected under the Rev. W. H. Dudley. After a fire destroyed the structure in 1953, this building was constructed during the pastorate of the Rev. James R. C. Pinn.

Erected 1979 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 10140.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Religion & Religious Structures.

Location. 32° 32.925′ N, 94° 22.53′ W. Marker is in Marshall, Texas, in Harrison County. It is at the intersection of West Grand Avenue (U.S. 80) and Compress Street on West Grand Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 801 West Grand Avenue, Marshall TX 75670, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Piney Woods.

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: The Wigfall House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Todd-McKay-Wheat House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Site of Marshall University

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(approx. 0.3 miles away); Marshall Hebrew Cemetery (approx. 0.3 miles away); Site of Temple Moses Montefiore (approx. 0.3 miles away); First Baptist Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); Girlhood Home of Southern Beauty Lucy Holcombe Pickens (approx. 0.3 miles away); Trinity Episcopal Church (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Marshall.

Bethesda Baptist Church and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, March 20, 2023

2. Bethesda Baptist Church and Marker

The marker is to the left of the entrance.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 22, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 365 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 22, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.