Near Streetman in Freestone County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
The New Hope Baptist Church and St. Elmo Cemetery
Photographed by James Hulse, May 5, 2025
1. The New Hope Baptist Church and St. Elmo Cemetery Marker
This locality was settled about 1849 by pioneers from Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. Cotton and corn plantations thrived. A school was opened in the 1850s, but closed during the Civil War (1861-65). A site on the centrally situated Manning Land Grant became a public burial ground. Earliest documented grave is that of J.W. Darden, who died in 1869.
The Little Hope Baptist Church was organized in the community in Aug. 1872, by a Freestone County Missionary, the Rev. J.M. Gambrell, who served as the first pastor, with R.B. Anderson as church clerk.
In 1875 a schoolhouse was built near the burial ground on the Manning Grant. The school was called "St. Elmo", probably for a popular 19th century novel. The Baptists held services in the schoolhouse until 1886; then they adopted "New Hope" as the church name, bought a 6-acre tract that included the cemetery and school grounds, and built a church. Present sanctuary, which replaced that original building, was remodeled in 1954. St. Elmo Cemetery Association administers the affairs of the cemetery, which now (1974) contains about 850 graves.
Erected 1974 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 9896.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical month for this entry is August 1872.
Location. 31° 56.388′ N, 96° 11.144′ W. Marker is near Streetman, Texas, in Freestone County. It is at the intersection of Farm to Market Road 416 and County Road 190, on the right when traveling east on Road 416. The marker is located along the street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 581 Farm to Market 416, Streetman TX 75859, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region. It is also in
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: St. Elmo Cemetery Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Winkler (approx. 1.8 miles away); Midway Cemetery (approx. 3.9 miles away); Bonner Cemetery (approx. 5.6 miles away); Birdston Veterans Memorial (approx. 7.4 miles away); Birdston Community and Cemetery (approx. 7.4 miles away); Home of Whitney Montgomery, Poet (approx. 7.8 miles away); Stewards Mill Store (approx. 8.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Streetman.
Photographed by James Hulse, May 5, 2025
2. The view of the St. Elmo Cemetery and Marker from the street
Credits. This page was last revised on July 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 6, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 225 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 7, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
