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. 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.)

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

Location. 33° 14.409′ N, 97° 34.651′ W. Marker is in Decatur, Texas, in Wise County. It is at the intersection of Farm to Market 51 and North Newark Street, on the right

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when traveling north on Farm to Market 51. 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.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region

and in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area.

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,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

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 away); Decatur First United Methodist Church (approx. 0.6 miles away); Captain George W. Stevens (approx. 0.7 miles away); Randolph Vesey (approx. 0.7 miles away); Charles Vernon Terrell (approx. 0.7 miles away); Wise County War Memorial (approx. 0.7 miles away); Chisholm Trail (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Decatur.

St. John Missionary Baptist Church and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, April 10, 2023

2. St. John Missionary Baptist Church and Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 10, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 11, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 439 times since then and 43 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.