Near Elkhart in Anderson County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Old Pilgrim Church

Photographed By James Hulse, April 25, 2024

1. Old Pilgrim Church Marker

Inscription. Replica, oldest Protestant Church in Texas. As Pilgrim Primitive Baptist Church, constituted July 28, 1855, in Crawford County, Ill. Under guidance of Elder Daniel Parker, a "Moving Arm" of established church, 11 members entered Texas, Jan., 1834. First building, 1848. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1965

Erected 1965 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 8797.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is July 28, 1855.

Location. 31° 35.543′ N, 95° 35.253′ W. Marker is near Elkhart, Texas, in Anderson County. Marker is on Farm to Market Road 861, 0.2 miles north of County Road 103, on the left when traveling north. The marker is located south back side of the old church building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1559 FM861, Elkhart TX 75839, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Replica of Pilgrim Church (here, next to this marker); Pilgrim Predestinarian Regular Baptist Church (a few steps from this marker); In Honor of the Veterans Buried at Pilgrim (a few steps from this marker); Miles Bennett (about 300 feet

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away, measured in a direct line); Dickinson Parker (about 300 feet away); Rev. Daniel Parker (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Pilgrim Predestinarian Regular Baptist Church (approx. 1.9 miles away); Site of Henry High School (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Elkhart.

Also see . . . Pilgrim Primitive Baptist Church. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA)

Pilgrim Primitive Baptist Church, the oldest Baptist church in Texas, was initiated by elder Daniel Parker, who came to Texas in 1833 to apply for a land grant and look over the political situation. He realized that a Baptist church could not be organized in Texas without breaking Mexican law. Therefore, he went back to Lamote, Illinois, where, on July 26, 1833, elders Richard M. Newport and Thomas Young, and deacons Richard M. Highsmith, William Grigg, Joseph Neal, Jesse Page, John Wood, and Fredrick Markley organized the Pilgrim Predestinarian Regular Baptist Church. Its members were Daniel and Patsey Parker, John and Pheby Parker, Sally Brown, and Julious and Rachel Christy. The constitution, articles of faith, and
Photographed By James Hulse, April 25, 2024

2. Old Pilgrim Church Marker
rules of decorum were adopted, and Julious Christy was appointed church clerk. The group then traveled by wagon train with some of their neighbors to Texas. The first church meeting in Texas was at Daniel Parker's home in Austin's colony on January 25, 1834; at that meeting the church voted to meet on the Saturday before the first Sunday of each month and on that Sunday.

(Submitted on April 30, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The Old Pilgrim Church and Marker (on right) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, April 25, 2024

3. The Old Pilgrim Church and Marker (on right)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 30, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 29, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 67 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 30, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.