Winona in Smith County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

First Baptist Church of Winona

Photographed by Randal B. Gilbert, January 18, 2016

1. First Baptist Church of Winona Marker

Inscription. Established in 1849 by Pastor William H. Ray and 15 charter members, this church was originally called Harris Creek Baptist Church. The congregation met once a month in members' homes until a pine log church building was erected in 1850. A new sanctuary was constructed in 1855 about a mile from Winona.

In 1858 the church established a cemetery west of the church building, later used as a community graveyard. African Americans were members of this church until Emancipation, but buried their dead in a separate section of the cemetery.

A cyclone destroyed the sanctuary in 1878, but members rebuilt that year. In 1900 the church relocated to Winona, and in 1916 began holding services twice a month. A two-story brick church building was erected in 1927, and in 1929 the congregation changed its name to Winona Baptist Church. In 1941 the church voted to hold services full time, and in 1947 changed its name to the First Baptist Church of Winona. A centennial celebration was held in 1949. A larger facility was built in 1980, and additions were erected in 1987.

The congregation offers traditional programs to its members and continues to support a variety of community outreach activities.

Erected 1997 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 7726.)

Topics. This

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historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Religion & Religious Structures.

Location. 32° 29.455′ N, 95° 10.085′ W. Marker is in Winona, Texas, in Smith County. It is at the intersection of Dallas Street (Farm to Market Road 16) and Tyler Street, on the right when traveling west on Dallas Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 212 Dallas Street, Winona TX 75792, 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 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Kay House (approx. 1.2 miles away); Elisha Everett Lott (approx. 1.4 miles away); Scouts of Texas Army (approx. 3.3 miles away); Harris Creek Cemetery (approx. 3.3 miles away); Nicholas Wren 1807-1859 (approx. 3.3 miles away); Starrville Community (approx. 3.4 miles away); Starrville Community Center (approx. 4 miles away); Camp Fannin, Texas (approx. 5.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Winona.

Other markers no longer nearby. Camp Fannin Internment Camp (was approx. 4½ miles away but has been confirmed missing); Camp Fannin (was approx. 4½ miles away but has been confirmed missing).

First Baptist Church of Winona and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Randal B. Gilbert, January 18, 2016

2. First Baptist Church of Winona and Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 18, 2016, by Randal B. Gilbert of Tyler, Texas. This page has been viewed 790 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 18, 2016, by Randal B. Gilbert of Tyler, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.