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

Pilgrim Predestinarian Regular Baptist Church

Photographed By James Hulse, April 25, 2024

1. Pilgrim Predestinarian Regular Baptist Church Marker

Inscription. Organized in Illinois, July 26, 1833
by Daniel Parker
Members moved to Texas in a body
arriving November 12, 1833.
First recorded meeting in Texas
was held in Austin's Colony
near the present town of
Anderson, Grimes County
January 20, 1834
First meeting here in the
home of Daniel Parker
July 4, 1835
Log church built here in December, 1848
Present building fourth on the same site
Continuous worship of church since 1833
Daniel Parker, Pastor, 1833 1844
Parker family graveyard adjoins

Erected 1936 by State of Texas. (Marker Number 8799.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the Texas 1936 Centennial Markers and Monuments series list. A significant historical date for this entry is January 20, 1834.

Location. 31° 35.541′ N, 95° 35.258′ 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 between the two church buildings and directly in front of the cemetery entrance. 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

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, measured as the crow flies. In Honor of the Veterans Buried at Pilgrim (here, next to this marker); Old Pilgrim Church (a few steps from this marker); Replica of Pilgrim Church (a few steps from this marker); Miles Bennett (about 300 feet 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,
Photographed By James Hulse, April 25, 2024

2. Pilgrim Predestinarian Regular Baptist Church Marker
Sally Brown, and Julious and Rachel Christy. The constitution, articles of faith, and 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 backside of the replica Pilgrim Predestinarian Regular Baptist Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, April 25, 2024

3. The backside of the replica Pilgrim Predestinarian Regular Baptist Church

Inside view of the replica Pilgrim Predestinarian Regular Baptist Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, April 25, 2024

4. Inside view of the replica Pilgrim Predestinarian Regular Baptist Church

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 41 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 30, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.