Decatur in Wise County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
St. John Missionary Baptist Church
Photographed By Jeff Leichsenring, April 10, 2023
1. St. John Missionary Baptist Church Marker
Inscription.
St. John Missionary Baptist Church. . This historic church formed in the spring of 1882. A group of women, led by Missouri Brown, began a Sunday school and later initiated the organization of a new church. The first church building was used as a school and became a center for all denominations. Reverend Morris Anderson of Gainesville served as the first pastor. The original building was replaced with a one-room structure in 1941 on the site of today's church. Under Rev. H.B. Allen, an auditorium was added in 1947 and a brick structure replaced the old church in 1951. St. John Missionary Baptist Church is the only church in the area that is predominately African American and has served the community for over a century.
This historic church formed in the
spring of 1882. A group of women, led
by Missouri Brown, began a Sunday
school and later initiated the
organization of a new church. The
first church building was used as a
school and became a center for all
denominations. Reverend Morris
Anderson of Gainesville served as the
first pastor. The original building was
replaced with a one-room structure in
1941 on the site of today's church.
Under Rev. H.B. Allen, an auditorium
was added in 1947 and a brick
structure replaced the old church in
1951. St. John Missionary Baptist
Church is the only church in the area
that is predominately African American
and has served the community for
over a century.
Erected 2012 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 17136.)
Location. 33° 14.409′ N, 97° 34.651′ W. Marker is in Decatur, Texas, in Wise County. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 904 N FM 51, Decatur TX 76234, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. East Side Elementary School (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The S. W. Tilghman House (approx. 0.6 miles
Credits. This page was last revised on April 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 11, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 80 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on April 11, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
