Yoakum in Lavaca County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Ruins of Brushy Creek Church

(Several Hundred Yards North)

Photographed by Mansfieldphoto.com, June 1, 2025

1. Ruins of Brushy Creek Church Marker

Inscription. On 50-acre site donated 1868 for church and school purposes by John H. and Steven Dunn, in large Irish and Czech Catholic area near the Post Road Trading Station of Bovine. It was 1876-1912 Church of St. Joseph's Parish, founded in 1860s by Father John Anthony Forest (1838-1911), third bishop (1895-1911), Diocese of San Antonio. Parishoners built church 1869-76 of stone from Muldoon, East Texas mill pine, and hand-hewn logs. Blacksmiths made nails and hinges on the site. Floor was of hard-packed, mortared clay. On Aug. 26, 1912, last Mass was said here; church burned in 1932.

Erected 1973 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 548.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures.

Location. 29° 17.071′ N, 97° 7.879′ W. Marker is in Yoakum, Texas, in Lavaca County. It is on Old Church Road (County Road 401) 0.1 miles south of Sheehan Street (County Road 318), on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Yoakum TX 77995, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Methodist Church of Yoakum (approx. half a mile away); Orth-Fitch House (approx. half a mile away); Katolika Jednota Zen Texaskych (K.J.Z.T.) / Catholic Women's Union of Texas

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(approx. 0.8 miles away); First Presbyterian Church (approx. 0.9 miles away); First Baptist Church of Yoakum (approx. one mile away); Asberry School (approx. 1.1 miles away); Municipal Power Plant (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Yoakum.

More about this marker. The marker is not several hundred yards from the ruins. The marker is right in front of the ruins.

Regarding Ruins of Brushy Creek Church. Yoakum's Ruins of Brushy Creek Church are over one hundred years old and stands near St. Joseph's Cemetery on FM 318. The church, originally dedicated St. Joseph's Church, later became known as Brushy Creek Church. The cornerstone was laid in 1869 and it was consecrated in May 1876. It is the oldest structure in the Yoakum community and is regarded as a fascinating sight for locals and visitors alike. In 1932, the Church was destroyed by fire except the masonry work, which would not burn.

Ruins of Brushy Creek Church Marker with Church in Background. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Doug Green, August 25, 2013

2. Ruins of Brushy Creek Church Marker with Church in Background.

Ruins of Brush Creek Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Doug Green, August 25, 2013

3. Ruins of Brush Creek Church

Ruins of Brushy Creek Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Doug Green, August 25, 2013

4. Ruins of Brushy Creek Church

Photographed by Doug Green, August 25, 2013

5. Ruins of Brushy Creek Church Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 2, 2025, by Doug Green of Sugar Land, Texas. This page has been viewed 312 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 5, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 2, 2025, by Doug Green of Sugar Land, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.