Athens in Henderson County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
First Baptist Church of Athens
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, March 26, 2023
1. First Baptist Church of Athens Marker
Inscription.
First Baptist Church of Athens. . In 1855, brothers William, Matthias and Steven Madison Richardson arrived in Henderson County from Pickens County, Alabama. The next year, they joined with the families of George D. Manion, W.H. Martin, Ben F. Jordan, Dr. Robert Jordan, Dr. Poton S. Bethel and Hannah Taylor to start a Baptist church, initially called Bethel Church. Members chose elders R.R. Morrow and Malachiah Reeves to lead the new congregation. Hannah Taylor sold land, located on today's Prairieville street, to the church in 1858. On that site, congregation members built a house of worship. Local Presbyterians and Methodists also used the building., The Baptist congregation grew and developed a Sunday school program. In 1889, it changed its name to the Athens Baptist Church of Christ. Two years later, J.J. and Eliza P. Richardson sold the present site for a new church building; the name changed again, this time to Athens Baptist Church. Deacon William Richardson donated a church bell for the new building. The wood-frame sanctuary served the congregation until it burned in 1917. In 1920, a brick building was completed under the leadership of the Rev. M.L. Fuller, Pastor, and the church became the First Baptist Church of Athens., Throughout the 20th century, the congregation acquired additional property and constructed new facilities to support its education, recreation, outreach and children's programs, including a private elementary school. The church, which has ministered to Athens residents since the middle 19th century, continues to emphasize mission work and evangelism. Its connection to the community dates to Athens' early years, and the congregation remains one of the city's oldest institutions.
In 1855, brothers William, Matthias and Steven Madison
Richardson arrived in Henderson County from Pickens
County, Alabama. The next year, they joined with the families
of George D. Manion, W.H. Martin, Ben F. Jordan, Dr. Robert
Jordan, Dr. Poton S. Bethel and Hannah Taylor to start a
Baptist church, initially called Bethel Church. Members chose
elders R.R. Morrow and Malachiah Reeves to lead the new
congregation. Hannah Taylor sold land, located on
today's Prairieville street, to the church in 1858. On that
site, congregation members built a house of worship. Local
Presbyterians and Methodists also used the building.
The Baptist congregation grew and developed a Sunday
school program. In 1889, it changed its name to the Athens
Baptist Church of Christ. Two years later, J.J. and Eliza P.
Richardson sold the present site for a new church building;
the name changed again, this time to Athens Baptist Church.
Deacon William Richardson donated a church bell for the
new building. The wood-frame sanctuary served the
congregation until it burned in 1917. In 1920, a brick
building was completed under the leadership of the Rev. M.L.
Fuller, Pastor, and the church became the First Baptist
Church of Athens.
Throughout the 20th century, the congregation acquired
additional property and constructed new
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facilities to
support its education, recreation, outreach and children's
programs, including a private elementary school. The
church, which has ministered to Athens residents since the
middle 19th century, continues to emphasize mission work
and evangelism. Its connection to the community dates to
Athens' early years, and the congregation remains one of
the city's oldest institutions.
Erected 2004 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 14327.)
Location. 32° 12.214′ N, 95° 51.143′ W. Marker is in Athens, Texas, in Henderson County. It is at the intersection of South Carroll Street and East College Street, on the right when traveling north on South Carroll Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 105 South Carroll Street, Athens TX 75751, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American 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.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 5, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 1, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 531 times since then and 76 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on April 1, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
