Milam in Sabine County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Bethany Baptist Church

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, April 23, 2023

1. Bethany Baptist Church Marker

Inscription. Located in the rural community of Milam, one of the oldest settled towns in Texas originally called Red Mount, the Bethany Baptist Church was established before 1879 at a location near the King's Highway (El Camino Real de los Tejas). In 1901, the church voted to relocate the church to the town of Milam. In 1903, the old building was sold and the proceeds were used to furnish the new building in Milam under the direction of pastor E. Dugan. The property adjoined the local school and, in 1949, the lots were officially purchased from the Hemphill Independent School District.

In January 1952, plans for a new church building were drawn by Brother H.R. Spence, presented to the church and accepted. Lumber from the old church and some new materials were used for the new structure. Worship services were held in the old school until the building was completed.

The Bethany Baptist Church has been blessed with more than forty pastors along with several interim and temporary pastors. In the beginning, the church met once a month with pastors travelling long distances to provide the service. Baptisms were held in Joel

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Halbert's Pond or in Boregas Creek until Red Hill Lake was built in 1937-39, three miles north of the church. Beginning in the 1950s, Bethany Baptist Church began to hold services on a weekly basis with a full-time pastor. As membership grew, so did the church building and grounds. A cemetery was established in 1981. As a reminder of early Sabine County, Bethany Baptist Church has contributed to the heritage of the area through service and faith.

Erected 2017 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 18648.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1952.

Location. 31° 26.055′ N, 93° 50.739′ W. Marker is in Milam, Texas, in Sabine County. It is on Texas Route 87 0.1 miles north of Route 21, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7078 Hwy 87, Milam TX 75959, 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,

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

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, April 23, 2023

2. Bethany Baptist Church and Marker

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: John C. Hale (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Milam Masonic Institute (about 600 feet away); Milam (about 800 feet away); The Old San Antonio Road (about 800 feet away); Kings Highway (about 800 feet away); a different marker also named Milam (about 800 feet away); Meador Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away); C.A. Nethery & Sons General Merchandise (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Milam.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 504 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 28, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.