Near Diamond in Newton County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

His First Prayer

George Washington Carver National Monument

— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —

His First Prayer Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 19, 2026

1. His First Prayer Marker

Inscription.
I was just a mere boy when converted, hardly ten years old. There isn't much of a story to it. God just came into my heart one afternoon while I was alone in the loft of our big barn while I was shelling corn…one of our neighbors, about my age, came by one Saturday morning and in talking and playing he told me about going to Sunday school…I was eager to know what a Sunday School was. He said they sang hymns and prayed.

I asked him what prayer was…I do not remember what he said…as soon as he left I climbed up into the loft, knelt down by the barrel of corn and prayed as best I could. I do not remember what I said. I only recall that I felt so good that I prayed several times before I quit…This was my simple conversion, and I have tried to keep the faith.
George W. Carver, letter to Isabelle Coleman, 1931

Caption:
All of his life Carver spoke openly about his faith in God. His long career as an educator, botanist, innovator, and agronomist showed that he was a man of character who could live out the values of humility and sacrificial service to others. Carver's spiritual life started with a boy's Saturday morning

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prayer in a barn.

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the George Washington Carver series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1931.

Location. 36° 59.306′ N, 94° 21.295′ W. Marker is near Diamond, Missouri, in Newton County. It can be reached from Carver Road. Marker is located on the Carver Trail, which is on the grounds of George Washington Carver National Monument. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5646 Carver Road, Diamond MO 64840, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Missouri. It is also in the American Ozarks,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance

Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 19, 2026

2. His First Prayer Marker

of this marker: Home Folks (a few steps from this marker); Special Moments in the Woods (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Plant Doctor (about 400 feet away); From Pebbles to Paintings (about 500 feet away); From Farm to Classroom (about 500 feet away); What an Orphan Chooses to Forget - and Remember (about 500 feet away); Birthplace of George Washington Carver (about 500 feet away); The Persimmon Tree (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Diamond.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Williams' Spring (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . .
1. George Washington Carver National Monument (National Park Service). (Submitted on September 25, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)
2. George Washington Carver National Monument on Wikipedia. (Submitted on September 25, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 25, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 25, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.