Gray in Washington County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Buffalo Ridge Church

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 16, 2025

1. Buffalo Ridge Church Marker

Sign points to the right when traveling south on SR 36.

Inscription. 5.0 miles. This pioneer Baptist Church, established in 1779 by the Rev. Tidence Lane, was the first Baptist Church on Tennessee soil. The church itself has been moved to Gray's Station: the cemetery remains. Here is buried the Rev. Johathan Mulkey, 1752-1826, who was its second pastor.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 1A 24.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Colonial Era • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1779.

Location. 36° 26.412′ N, 82° 27.27′ W. Marker is in Gray, Tennessee, in Washington County. It is at the intersection of Kingsport Highway (Tennessee Route 36) and Gray Station Road and Ben Jenkins Road, on the right when traveling south on Kingsport Highway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Johnson City TN 37615, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Tennessee

and in the Tri-Cities Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

the State of Franklin,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Fiddlin’ Charlie Bowman (approx. 2.8 miles away); Ford vs. Ford (approx. 3 miles away); Freed African Americans Win First Inheritance Suit (approx.

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3.1 miles away); Great Indian Warrior Trading Path (approx. 4 miles away); Boone's Creek Church (approx. 4.3 miles away); William Bean's Cabin (approx. 4.3 miles away); Pactolus Ironworks (approx. 5.1 miles away); Keebler-Keefauver Home (approx. 5.3 miles away).

Another marker is no longer nearby. Daniel Boone (was approx. 4.7 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

More about this marker. Sign points right towards Gray Station Road. Cemetery is 5 miles down Gray Station Road.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 16, 2025

2. Buffalo Ridge Church Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 30, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 17, 2013. This page has been viewed 1,103 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 30, 2025, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Al Wolf was the editor who published this page.