Longview in Gregg County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Red Oak Missionary Baptist Church
Photographed by James Hulse, January 2, 2026
1. Red Oak Missionary Baptist Church Marker
Inscription.
Red Oak Missionary Baptist Church. . In 1875, a group of freed African Americans founded a church south of the Longview townsite. Sallie Rollins donated land for Red Oak Grove Baptist Church, and Rev. Rube Wright was the first pastor. The original site was near current Eastman Road and Interstate 20, adjacent to Swanzey Cemetery. In 1926-27, the church moved to its current site on land bought from the Jacobs and Rollins families. About that time, "Grove" was dropped from the name. Members were actively involved with Butler College in Tyler and continue to encourage and influence young people through scholarships. The church's service and mission work has had a significant impact on the community and the region.
In 1875, a group of freed African Americans founded a church south of the Longview townsite. Sallie Rollins donated land for Red Oak Grove Baptist Church, and Rev. Rube Wright was the first pastor. The original site was near current Eastman Road and Interstate 20, adjacent to Swanzey Cemetery. In 1926-27, the church moved to its current site on land bought from the Jacobs and Rollins families. About that time, "Grove" was dropped from the name. Members were actively involved with Butler College in Tyler and continue to encourage and influence young people through scholarships. The church's service and mission work has had a significant impact on the community and the region.
Erected 2015 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 18257.)
Location. 32° 27.513′ N, 94° 42.993′ W. Marker is in Longview, Texas, in Gregg County. It is at the intersection of South Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard and Lorin Drive, on the right when traveling south on South Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2717 S Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, 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, 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 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. submitted on January 4, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
