Terrell in Kaufman County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Bethlehem Baptist Church

Photographed by Rheba Bybee, September 3, 2016

1. Bethlehem Baptist Church Marker

Inscription. The oldest black Baptist congregation extant in Terrell, this church traces its history to 1877, when a group of worshipers led by missionary A.R. Griggs met under a brush arbor. With the Rev. P.W. Upshaw serving as first pastor, church members erected a sanctuary at what is now the 400 block of East Grove Street. The building was moved to the corner of S. Virginia and Cottage streets in 1889. A new facility, built in the early 1900s, was relocated to this site in 1929. It was destroyed in a 1939 fire and replaced by a new structure in 1940.

Erected 1989 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 9420.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1877.

Location. 32° 43.961′ N, 96° 16.751′ W. Marker is in Terrell, Texas, in Kaufman County. It is at the intersection of South Frances Street and West Rochester Street, on the left when traveling north on South Frances Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 500 South Frances Street, Terrell TX 75160, United States of America.

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Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region

and in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South.

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 walking distance of this marker: Terrell Volunteer Fire Department (approx. 0.2 miles away); Texas Flag (approx. ¼ mile away); The Circus Comes to Terrell (approx. ¼ mile away); Lyric Theatre in 1948 (approx. ¼ mile away); Texas & Pacific Railroad Freight Depot (approx. ¼ mile away); Founding of Terrell (approx. ¼ mile away); Colonel Green and His 1899 Automobile (approx. ¼ mile away); The American National Bank (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Terrell.

Also see . . . Bethlehem Baptist Church website. (Submitted on September 8, 2016, by Rheba Bybee of Seagoville, Texas.)

Bethlehem Baptist Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Rheba Bybee, September 3, 2016

2. Bethlehem Baptist Church

Credits. This page was last revised on September 9, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2016, by Rheba Bybee of Seagoville, Texas. This page has been viewed 778 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 8, 2016, by Rheba Bybee of Seagoville, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.