Poynor in Henderson County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
First Baptist Church of Poynor
Photographed by James Hulse, March 17, 2025
1. First Baptist Church of Poynor Marker
Inscription.
First Baptist Church of Poynor. . The Texas and New Orleans Railroad laid out the town of Poynor when it reached the area in 1901. The post office opened the following year, and the town immediately began to grow. Early residents met in a Union church building for worship services, and two congregations soon formed, one Baptist and one Church of Christ. Seven Poynor residents met on August 21, 1904 to organize what began as a Missionary Baptist congregation. Elder W.W. Hall led the new church, and James P. Thrasher served as the first church clerk, a position he held for many years. Church pastors preached once a month until 1925, when the congregation added a second service., In 1923, congregation members purchased the land where the church building stood and continued to expand with additional land and new facilities over the next decades. The church's membership increased after Hunt Oil Company opened a gas plant nearby, encouraging younger members to stay in the community., Congregants have been active within both the church and Poynor. Many members were local educators, and their work carried over into religious education, which is offered for all ages. Others were community leaders and officials, including mayors, city council members and postmistresses. First Baptist Church has also provided holiday programs for the community., At its centennial, Poynor's First Baptist Church continued to grow, using funds from the estate of Mae Thrasher Hamilton (d. 1991) to further expand its amenities, as well as its programs, which support both its members and the larger community,
The Texas & New Orleans Railroad laid out the town of Poynor when it reached the area in 1901. The post office opened the following year, and the town immediately began to grow. Early residents met in a Union church building for worship services, and two congregations soon formed, one Baptist and one Church of Christ. Seven Poynor residents met on August 21, 1904 to organize what began as a Missionary Baptist congregation. Elder W.W. Hall led the new church, and James P. Thrasher served as the first church clerk, a position he held for many years. Church pastors preached once a month until 1925, when the congregation added a second service.
In 1923, congregation members purchased the land where the church building stood and continued to expand with additional land and new facilities over the next decades. The church's membership increased after Hunt Oil Company opened a gas plant nearby, encouraging younger members to stay in the community.
Congregants have been active within both the church and Poynor. Many members were local educators, and their work carried over into religious education, which is offered for all ages. Others were community leaders and officials, including mayors, city council members and postmistresses. First Baptist Church has also provided holiday programs for the community.
At its centennial, Poynor's First Baptist Church continued to grow, using funds from the estate of Mae Thrasher Hamilton (d. 1991) to further expand its amenities, as well as its programs, which support both its members and the larger community,
Erected 2004 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 13040.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is August 21, 1904.
Location. 32° 4.562′ N, 95° 35.912′ W. Marker
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is in Poynor, Texas, in Henderson County. It is on Lee Street west of Farm to Market Road 315, on the right when traveling west. The marker is located at the front of the church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 15565 Lee St, Larue TX 75770, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American 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.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 30, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 29, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 103 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on March 30, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
