Antioch Church of Christ
San Augustine, San Augustine County, Texas
Marker Inscription
William P. Defee, a medical doctor, arrived in Texas in 1833 and began preaching in homes. In 1836 he began this congregation. They met in a dirt-floored, log building on Rhoddy Anthony's property. The name "Antioch" was chosen because the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. Anthony was selected elder and served for 50 years. About 1870 a new sanctuary was built on this land belonging to Stephen Passmore. The building served as a schoolhouse and community meeting place. This structure was completed in 1938.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Dr. William P. Defee arrived in Texas in 1833 and began preaching in settlers' homes, founding this congregation in 1836 in a dirt-floored log building on Rhoddy Anthony's land. Anthony, chosen elder, served fifty years. A new sanctuary rose about 1870 on Stephen Passmore's property and doubled as a schoolhouse and community meeting place before the present structure was completed in 1938.
Why it matters
Frontier churches like Antioch did double duty as school and civic hall, making them the multipurpose heart of early Texas communities.
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Related people
- · William P. Defee
- · Rhoddy Anthony
- · Stephen Passmore
Themes & tags
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