Near Edom in Van Zandt County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

County Line Missionary Baptist Church

Photographed by Amanda Hartley, May 11, 2010

1. County Line Missionary Baptist Church Marker

Inscription. Oral tradition links this church to the original County Line Baptist Church of 1851, the earliest recorded attempt of area African American families to create a community of worship. County Line Colored Missionary Baptist Church was founded in 1872 on this site, donated by Will Manley. The Rev. L. M. Rabb was the first pastor. An air conditioned brick building was erected in 1967, replacing two earlier wood structures. Providing such aid as food, medicine, educational scholarships, and spiritual counsel, the church remains a proud focal point for community affairs.

Erected 1997 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 11391.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1851.

Location. 32° 22.248′ N, 95° 29.637′ W. Marker is near Edom, Texas, in Van Zandt County. It is on County Road 4823 west of County Road 4825. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ben Wheeler TX 75754, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American 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 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Mt. Zion C. M. E. Church (approx. 0.6 miles away); Roseland Plantation Home (approx. 1.4 miles away); Ingram Cemetery (approx. 2.1 miles away); Cherokee Chief Bowles (approx. 2.7 miles away); New Harmony Baptist Church (approx. 3½ miles away); Wood-Verner Cemetery (approx. 3.8 miles away); First United Methodist Church

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(approx. 4.2 miles away); John Crane (approx. 4½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Edom.

County Line Missionary Baptist Church and marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, September 7, 2026

2. County Line Missionary Baptist Church and marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 12, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 14, 2010, by Amanda Hartley of Tyler, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,404 times since then and 74 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 14, 2010, by Amanda Hartley of Tyler, Texas. 2. submitted on September 8, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.