Caldwell in Burleson County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Goodwill Missionary Baptist Church
Photographed by Morgan Petermann, March 4, 2025
1. Goodwill Missionary Baptist Church Marker
Inscription.
Goodwill Missionary Baptist Church. . In 1854, numerous slaves arrived near Cooks Point, led by A.S. Broaddus on a six-month wagon ride from Virginia. In 1887, many now-emancipated African American families asked Broaddus to help establish their own church. After the purchase of land near Cedar Creek for $6 on Nov. 13, 1888, Jerry Shorter was called as the first pastor, and Bill Waller, Polk Davis, Ephran Jones and Mason Bridges were ordained deacons. A small building was erected, and regular services began joyfully. The church was rebuilt several times and became the center of a community with a school, cemetery and store. The congregation continues to offer worship, fellowship and cultural heritage to the community.
In 1854, numerous slaves arrived near Cooks Point, led by A.S. Broaddus on a six-month wagon ride from Virginia. In 1887, many now-emancipated African American families asked Broaddus to help establish their own church. After the purchase of land near Cedar Creek for $6 on Nov. 13, 1888, Jerry Shorter was called as the first pastor, and Bill Waller, Polk Davis, Ephran Jones and Mason Bridges were ordained deacons. A small building was erected, and regular services began joyfully. The church was rebuilt several times and became the center of a community with a school, cemetery and store. The congregation continues to offer worship, fellowship and cultural heritage to the community.
Erected 2013 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 17606.)
Location. 30° 38.474′ N, 96° 37.609′ W. Marker is in Caldwell, Texas, in Burleson County. It is on County Road 371 east of County Road 1362, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8208 Co Rd 371, Caldwell TX 77836, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region. It is also in the American South. 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, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies
Credits. This page was last revised on March 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 5, 2025, by Morgan Petermann of Hurst, Texas. This page has been viewed 437 times since then and 116 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on March 5, 2025, by Morgan Petermann of Hurst, Texas. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
