Near Henderson in Rusk County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Sardis Baptist Church

Photographed by James Hulse, March 17, 2025

1. Sardis Baptist Church Marker

Inscription. In the 1850s, several families settled in an area that became Pleasant Grove also known as Shake Rag. In 1911, the community organized a Baptist church. The church met in the Pleasant Grove School House that was shared with the Methodist Church. In 1921, Rufus and Mary Allen donated 1.5 acres and lumber from his sawmill for a church building. The deed expressly stated that the frame building would be shared by all denominations. The first pastor was brother Deckert Anderson. In 1951, a Sunday school room was added, but in 1958, the building was sold and a larger church was built to accommodate the growing membership. The church is all that remains of this community. 175 Years of Texas Independence 1836-2011

Erected 2011 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 16838.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1911.

Location. 32° 1.29′ N, 94° 56.794′ W. Marker is near Henderson, Texas, in Rusk County. It is on County Road 4187 0.1 miles west of County Road 4188, on the right when traveling west. The marker is located in front of the church near the street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 13174 Co Rd 4187, Henderson TX 75654, 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,

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 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Pleasant Grove Methodist Episcopal Church South Cemetery

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(approx. 1.3 miles away); William C. Davis (approx. 9.2 miles away); New Summerfield Methodist Church (approx. 9.2 miles away); McDonald Cemetery (approx. 9.3 miles away); Monte Verdi Family Slaves (approx. 9½ miles away); Glenfawn Cemetery (approx. 9½ miles away); George W. Burton (approx. 9.6 miles away); Redlands Church (approx. 10 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Henderson.

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

Photographed by James Hulse, March 17, 2025

2. Sardis Baptist Church and Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 27, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 242 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 28, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.