Roddy Community near Mabank in Van Zandt County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Elm Grove Union Church

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, October 5, 2025

1. Elm Grove Union Church Marker

Inscription. This community church traces its history to the early 1870s. A log structure used as a church, school, and community gathering place was built on land owned by early settler Anthony Gray Hyde in 1875. Called Hyde Schoolhouse, it served the community until 1882, when it was replaced by a larger wooden building. One year later the school was moved to a new location near this site and renamed Elm Grove.

The school became a public free school in 1885 to serve residents in the Roddy community (named for pioneer Steven Goven Roddy). After this property was given to the community church in 1900 by T. H. and Minerva Hardin, a new sanctuary was built. At that time the school and church ceased sharing the same building. A new church building erected in 1922 was replaced after it was destroyed by fire in 1941.

Since its beginning, this has been a multi-denominational Union Church. The three congregations which share use of the building and operate a cooperative Sunday School program include Elm Grove Presbyterian, organized in 1872; Elm Grove Methodist, organized in 1893; and Elm Grove Missionary Baptist, organized in 1897.

Erected 1989 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 11401.)

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

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. A significant historical year for this entry is 1875.

Location. 32° 25.938′ N, 96° 2.447′ W. Marker is near Mabank, Texas, in Van Zandt County. It is in Roddy Community. It is at the intersection of County Road 2708 and County Road 2709 on County Road 2708. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 979 Co Rd 2708, Mabank TX 75147, 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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Elm Grove Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); Mono School (approx. 0.4 miles away); White Hall School (approx. 3.6 miles away); Phalba (approx. 3.6 miles away); Capt. Edward Thomas Broughton and the Johnson Guards (approx. 4.9 miles away); Prairieville (approx. 4.9 miles away); First Baptist Church of Mabank (approx. 5.7 miles away); First Presbyterian Church of Mabank (approx. 5.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mabank.

Elm Grove Union Church and marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, October 5, 2025

2. Elm Grove Union Church and marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 6, 2025, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 68 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 6, 2025, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.