Longview in Gregg County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Jerusalem Baptist Church

Photographed by James Hulse, January 2, 2026

1. Jerusalem Baptist Church Marker

Inscription. In the 1850s, most slaves had contact with organized Christian churches and after Emancipation a great number of African Americans became Baptist because they were free to establish their own churches under their own governance. Schools and churches helped African Americans improve and control their own lives. The pre-Civil War community of Earlville became known as the Junction when the International & Great Northern Railroad connected with Texas and Pacific tracks near Longview in 1872. During the 1890s, a group of Black worshipers purchased land in the Junction on the Benjamin Estate. Jerusalem Baptist Church grew out of an organization known as the Consolidated Brotherhood which was a nondenominational lodge where Gregg County African Americans gathered to hear lectures and bible stories.

As membership grew, the original sanctuary was torn down and rebuilt. Two windows from the original church were kept and incorporated into the new auditorium and are still a part of the church. Rev. R.B. Bradley became the first full-time minister in September 1942. Under his leadership a parsonage was erected and the church enlarged. Nationally-recognized gospel minister Rev. S.Y. Nixson served the church during the Civil Rights movement. Rev. Nixson was a spokesperson for equality in education and helped end segregation in the Longview Public schools. During Rev. Nixson's 29-year tenure, the educational annex was built and the auditorium was bricked and air conditioned. Jerusalem Baptist Church continues to provide stability and spiritual strength in the African American community.

Erected 2012 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 17300.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1942.

Location. 32° 29.537′ N, 94° 43.387′ W. Marker is in Longview, Texas, in Gregg County. It is at the intersection of East Cotton Street and S 11th Street, on the right when traveling west on East Cotton Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1327 E Cotton St, Longview TX 75602, 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,

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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 walking distance of this marker: Longview Train Depot (approx. 0.3 miles away); Longview Junction (approx. 0.3 miles away); St. Anthony Catholic Church (approx. half a mile away); David Sutton Meredith, Jr. (approx. 0.6 miles away); a different marker also named David Sutton Meredith (approx. 0.6 miles away); Greenwood Cemetery (approx. 0.6 miles away); O.H. Methvin (approx. 0.6 miles away); John Tyson Smith (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Longview.

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

Photographed by James Hulse, January 2, 2026

2. Jerusalem Baptist Church and Marker

Photographed by James Hulse, January 2, 2026

3. Jerusalem Baptist Church Marker

The front view of the church from the sidewalk.

Photographed by James Hulse, January 2, 2026

4. Jerusalem Baptist Church Marker

The view of the church along the street.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 4, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 50 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 4, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.