Near New Boston in Bowie County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 1, 2026

1. Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church Marker

Inscription. Blacks in the area north of New Boston have been served by this church since its organization in Feb. 1872 by the Rev. Forrest Hooks, the first pastor for the 14 charter members. According to oral histories, the fellowship first met near this site in a log cabin on land belonging to Abram Ellis, former slave of Texas Independence patriot Richard Ellis. The current building was erected in 1912-13, during the pastorate of the Rev. W. M. Sexton, on land acquired from Mr. and Mrs. N. A. Williams, son-in-law and daughter of Richard Ellis.

Charter member Bob Tiller donated land for the nearby church cemetery. Records show that a school opened at Pleasant Hill in 1903, probably in the log cabin which first housed Pleasant Hill Church. A school building was erected in 1928 next to this sanctuary, but was moved when the school at Pleasant Hill consolidated with the New Boston School District.

Through the years Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church has provided a focal point for the rural community. Membership peaked during the 1920s, but worship services for the small congregation continue to be held on the fourth Sunday of every month as they have been since the church's early days.

Erected 1982 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 9499.)

Topics. This historical

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marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1872.

Location. 33° 32.367′ N, 94° 23.472′ W. Marker is near New Boston, Texas, in Bowie County. It is on County Road 2101 1.6 miles east of State Highway 8, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1627 Co Rd 2101, New Boston TX 75570, 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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Harvey C. Sanders, C.S.A. (approx. 1.9 miles away); Site of the Texas Home of Richard Ellis (approx. 1.9 miles away); Red Bayou Methodist Church (approx. 3.6 miles away); Bowie County (approx. 4.6 miles away); James Bowie / Gold Star County (approx. 4.7 miles away); Jones-Tyson House (approx. 5.6 miles away); New Boston (approx. 5.7 miles away); Pecan Point Signers (approx. 7.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Boston.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 1, 2026

2. Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 13, 2026, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 13, 2026, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.