Orange in Orange County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Saint Paul Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, January 17, 2026
1. Saint Paul Christian Methodist Episcopal Church Marker
This African American congregation held informal worship services in homes and later in a nearby building before church trustees Josiah Hardin, William Holmes, Peter Rogers, Julius Sanders, and Silas Hardin acquired a town lot here for church building purposes in 1894. That year a wood frame sanctuary was built and the congregation formally organized as the Saint Paul Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.
According to local tradition, the congregation chose to name their church for Saint Paul because of his historically significant missionary undertakings. Led by the Rev. E. A. Strong, a new wood frame church building was constructed here in 1945. Growth in the congregation's membership prompted the building of a new brick sanctuary at this site in 1969. A new parsonage was purchased in 1989, and in 1989-90 the congregation purchased two adjoining lots for future expansion purposes.
The congregation sponsors several church programs including a Sunday School teaching program, Bible study, Christian youth fellowship and young adult fellowship. Its missionary society, which includes the Annie Rose Circle, Willie Green
this page online
Erected 1994 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 11512.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1894.
Location. 30° 6.115′ N, 93° 44.024′ W. Marker is in Orange, Texas, in Orange County. It is on North 4th Street north of West John Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1201 N 4th St, Orange TX 77630, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Texas’ Golden Triangle. It is also in the American South, on the Gulf Coast, 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.
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, January 17, 2026
2. Saint Paul Christian Methodist Episcopal Church and marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Black Education in Orange County (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church (about 400 feet away); Salem United Methodist Church (about 500 feet away); St. Therese Catholic Church (approx. Ό mile away); a different marker also named Black Education in Orange County (approx. Ό mile away); Cox House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Hollywood Community Cemetery (approx. 0.4 miles away); Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Orange.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 21, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 34 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 21, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
